Page 44
He sips his beer and then semi-toasts me with it. He’s kind of adorable. He’s put together in a tie, button-down and dark jeans. His boots are polished brown chukkas.
“Point for you. He disappears in work. I hope you do too. Enough that—”
“As long as he doesn’t feel jilted by mine, we’ll be fine.”
“What is it the two of you are doing?”
“Besides each other every chance we get, no idea. But I’ll tell you a secret.” I lean forward. I trust him despite being Alex’s coworker, friend, and confidant.
“That’s why I’m here.” He rubs his hands together.
“I designed my life without a lot of free time. I don’t want to read or watch movies. I don’t want to learn to knit or do puzzles. But I want to fill all of my free time with him. Embarrassing moment—go.”
“Realization my morning erection at Hebrew camp had everything to do with Kurt, the blond, blue-eyed swim counselor. And I believe the only Christian on site.”
“Was it that you wanted a shiksa or a man that made it embarrassing?”
“Both. And kudos on the Yiddish.”
“Joan. Ari makes sense.”
“I have a type. And, thank God, so did he.”
We order food, then he snaps a picture of me and hands me his phone.
ALEX: Fucker. We need your edits to the site. Now, you lazy piece of shit.
MIKEY: Busy.
ALEX: Doing what?
He texted the picture of me sipping my wine and not looking flattering.
ALEX: Oh shit! Leave her alone. Don’t tell her things. And fuck I want to be there. That face undoes me.
MIKEY: You’ve barely come up in conversation.
My stomach flickers. I look at Mikey. “Do you mind?” He waves his hand and bites into his sandwich.
MIKEY: Too late. I know all of it. You undo me as well.
ALEX: Hey, gorgeous. So, this is why you ignored me?
MIKEY: Phone’s in my purse. Trying to be polite. I miss your face.
ALEX: I miss your everything. Are the ladies behaving?
Mikey rips the phone out of my hand and responds.
MIKEY: I don’t want to know. Your girl is blushing something fierce. Sext on your own time. This is mine.
ALEX: Fine. EDITS! Tell her she looks amazing, and I’ll call after we tape.
MIKEY: Ok. Edits in an hour. I’ll call in for the taping.
ALEX: FUCKING hurry. Tell her I miss her.
MIKEY: Fucking sap.
