If you only knew how literal I just got with you, boss.
“How are Rita and Theo? All better?”
She nodded a big smile on her face when I mentioned her wife and son. “They’re much better, thanks for asking.”
I nodded and pointed towards the door. “Okay, I’m heading to the shelter. I’ll see you at one.”
As I walked out of her office I realized I never asked her for the donor’s name.
Tom
“Are you fully recovered from Friday, Thomas? Because even I’m still thinking about that guy’s mouth.” I didn’t answer, hurrying to take Priya off the speaker.
I was still thinking about that mouth, too. In fact, I hadn’t been able to get anything about Milo out of my mind all weekend. Remembering how hot it had been with him for those few moments, to succumb to a desire so strong I forgot where and who I was.
“I know what you are up to, Priya Raghunathan,” I said unable to hide the humor in my voice. Priya had been on amission to get me to “get out more” for years now, so I was not surprised she was not letting this one go. “I’m on my way to my meeting and I’m running late.” I looked out the window of my Rover, still half-thinking about Milo. Still kicking myself for not asking him for his number.
“Well, if you ask me?—”
I did laugh this time interrupting her. “But, Ididn’task.”
She went on unbothered. “You’re so cute, acting as if I’m not going to tell you what to do regardless.Anyway, I just wanted to say that I thought it was great that you did something a little impulsive, Tom.”
Her tone shifted and I knew we would get into the “you’ve changed” conversation that came up every few months since my divorce. I put my head back on the warm leather headrest and sighed.
“Priya, that was more than a little impulsive. I could’ve really embarrassed myself.”
“So fucking what? Yourelaxedfor once. The way you were looking at him, I hadn’t seen that glint in your eyes since the Boston days.” She clicked her tongue before she spoke, which I knew meant I was getting a lecture. “You’ve always been serious and measured, but since things ended with Maxwell, it’s like you’ve been dead set on denying yourself of anything that’s just for you. I just wanted to tell you how good it was to see you cut loose a bit, that’s all. Even if you could’ve been arrested for public indecency, I feel like it was totally worth it.”
I laughed again as my driver reached the Harlem address where I had my next meeting.
“Priya, I gotta go. I’m almost at the New Beginning offices.”
“Oh! I forgot you were going to that. Can’t wait to hear about it this afternoon. See you later.”
“See you later. And Priya?” One thing I’d vowed after that whole mess with my ex was that I would tell the people in my life how grateful I was for them.
“Yes?”
“Thanks.”
“Don’t get too emo on me. You know I love you and everything, but that I’m also nosy as fuck!” We both laughed at that truth.
We ended the call the car stopped in front of the building. As the director of New Beginning had explained, there was a very discreet sign in the front indicating this was the right place.
“Manny, this meeting shouldn’t take long. Go find a spot and let me know where you are, I’ll walk over to you.”
My driver turned around with the annoyed face he always made when I tried to do too much for myself, like walking a few blocks to meet him. “You sure boss? It’s wet out there.”
I looked out the window. The rain had mostly stopped.
“I’m good, really.” He raised an eyebrow and sent me a look that said, “if you say so,” before driving off.
As I walked into the offices of New Beginning, I realized I was almost twenty minutes late. You’d think someone who was semi-retired could manage to arrive on time to meetingsherequested, but no.
I stepped up to the receptionist who had just finished talking with someone, mindful not to make any sudden moves, hyper aware of all the space I was taking up. There were a few women in the waiting area, and I didn’t want to scare or intimidate them by being too loud. This place provided services for people who had experienced domestic violence after all. In the gentlest voice I could manage I said to the receptionist, “Hi, my name is Thomas Hughes. I’m here to meet with Melissa.”
The receptionist, who had perked up as soon as she saw me walk in, beamed when I told her my name. “Yes, Mr. Hughes,she’s expecting you. She asked me to call her when you arrived so she can come down.”
