“This is a new attitude,” Brenda said, entering without an invite to use my other chair. “Should I take it you had a good trip?”
It was rare I caught her off guard, so I went with it. “Yes, no, and yes.”
“Who are you and where is my Nicky?” She leaned forward to touch me and nearly knocked over my coffee.
Flicking Henry’s tie over my shoulder, I glared at her. “Watch it.”
“Why so defensive about your tie?” She flipped it back and turned to see the label. “Wow! When did you buy…. Oh my god! This is his!”
I waved my hands at her and checked to see if anyone was listening. “As much as I love you, and don’t mind sharing with you, Idon’tneed the entire floor to hear.”
“Sorry,” she said, not sounding contrite. “You spent the whole weekend together?”
She’d found the one negative in the weekend. “Not really.”
I explained the weekend, and she seemed oddly sympathetic when I talked about Saturday night. By the end she was all smiles.
“That’s great.” She leaned in for a hug. “See? You totallyarein his league. Auntie B’s world famous advice was spot on.”
For once I had to admit she was right. “He’s amazing,Auntie.I feel so free from doubts when I’m with him.”
“I’m happy for you, Nick. You deserve someone special.” Her expression changed and I braced myself. “When did you start working out that you can crush wine goblets in your bare hands?”
The ribbing was mild compared to what I’d normally experienced, but it reminded me how weird the incident had been. “I didn’t. It was the strangest thing. I was mind-fucking the situation like I always do, the lights flickered, I got startled, and the glass shattered.”
“That’s bizarre,” she said, her eyebrows furrowed. “The lights blinked at my place last night. I didn’t turn into the Incredible Hulk, like you, but I kinda expected Freddy Kruger to kick open my door.”
Leave it to her to gowayout there. “You’re so weird. Freddy Kruger? Because a few lights flickered? Besides, I’m sure he doesn’t kill the gay guy’s best straight girl.”
“Okay, now I know you’ve got it bad,” she said, rolling her eyes. “But I’ll take best straight gal pal over that awful word. I’m too young and pretty to be an old crone.”
I almost agreed, but then she’d start picking wedding venues for me. “Yes, Maleficent.”
“So much for sweet and nice, Nick.” Despite her words, she smiled. “Oh, before I forget! I’m having a party at my brotherZeke’s house this Saturday. You remember Zeke and Orion, right?”
It was impossible to forget those two. What they had together was how I dreamed my life would be. “Of course. Zeke gave me a tour of his cool, old house. But Henry and I have tentative plans.”
“Hello.” She pretended to knock on my forehead. “The invite was for both of you. It’ll be fun. Lots of food and drinks. Think of it this way, it’ll be like you took him out for dinner and drinks, but it didn’t cost you anything.”
Put that way, it would be me taking him out in a way I could afford. And if the party was anything like the last one I went to at Zeke’s, it would be better than I could afford to do for Henry. Plus, he’d already met Brenda, and she didn’t scare him. “Let me check with Henry. If he’s cool with it, I’m definitely down for a Brenda Masterson party.”
“Awesome,” she said. “I’m going to put you down as a yes, because how could your man resist all this?” She ran her hand up and down in front of her.
I laughed so loud, a couple of people peeked over their cubicles to see us. One look from Brenda and they disappeared behind their walls. “Other than he’s gay, I can’t see how any man wouldn’t be impressed.”
“You really have changed.” She watched me with an odd expression. “Not even a whiff of snark in your voice.”
Not having a pity party of one meant I didn’t have to hide behind feeling sorry for myself. “That’s because there isn’t any. You really are an amazing person.”
“Oh no,” she said waving a finger in my face. “Do not go soft on me. You’re my snark brother. I need a good foil or else I’ll take it out on those who can’t handle me.”
Laughing, I leaned in and hugged her. “Anything for my best….” I mouthed the last word against her ear. I didn’t say it, but she knew what I’d mouthed.
“Urgh.” She slapped the back of my head lightly, stood, and ruffled my hair. “I asked for that, but next time don’t be so good following instructions. Now get back to work before I tell your amazingly wonderful and talented boss. Oh, and invite that hottie of a roommate of yours. Zeke and Orion have a few friends Trevor should meet.”
Brenda left me in a great mood. Even the bit about trying to fix Trevor up. I’d be sure to warn him before he agreed to go to the party.
I turned back to my screen and realized I’d already finished enough cases for the entire morning. Opening the next case, I did the numbers in my head at lightning speed. It was as if being happy made me hyper efficient.
