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She laughed. “Every day? You must have a really nice boss.” From what she’d gleaned, he worked for himself. They shared a smile. “You know my gym is right around the corner. I’m here on Saturdays too.”
“Then I’ll be here on Saturday as well.”
“Wow, you must really need a friend.”
“A woman with such amazing insights, no chance I’m letting you go, Button.”
“Oh, you’ll regret saying that. Loyalty means a lot to me. Once you’re in, it won’t be easy to get out.”
“I’ll take my chances.”
6
After her workout that Saturday, she went to the coffee shop out of courtesy. Alex was already at their table, just as he had been nearly every day for over two weeks.
She went closer, but stopped short, choosing to maintain a meter of distance. “Psst, Alex.” She got his attention. “I can’t stay. I’m sorry.” He twisted around to rise out of his chair, but she just waved. “Really, I’m sorry, I just didn’t want to stand you up.”
“What’s wrong?” he asked, wearing genuine concern. “What happened?”
He could probably tell just from looking at her that something was up. At least she had the hoodie to cover her torso and ass in her yoga pants and tank. Rather, her soaking wet yoga pants and tank.
“Oh, some pipe burst at the gym and they evacuated everyone. There was water pouring out of the ceiling.” She smoothed a hand over her damp hair. “I have to go home and shower, I’m a mess.”
His concern ebbed to give way to a smile. “Good thing it’s the weekend and I live right across the street.”
“What?” she asked as he put an arm around her to take the lead in maneuvering them toward the door. “What do you mean?”
“Use my shower, take your time, and then I’ll take you to lunch. Anywhere you want to go.”
Stunned, she was in a daze as he led her across the street. “Anywhere I want to go?” she asked.
“Well, anywhere in town. Unless you’re packing your passport.”
His joke grounded her. Passport? That was funny. They weren’t the kind of people who went jetting off around the world at a second’s notice. Not for something like lunch anyway.
They went into his building, and he took her hand to guide her up to the third floor and along to his apartment.
“Wow,” she said as they went inside. “This place is great.”
Light streamed through the sliding glass doors on the opposite wall. The kitchen to the right of the front door was small, gleaming, and way more modern than the one in her apartment.
“Bathroom’s to the left,” he said, gesturing past a closed closet. “There are towels in the closet by the door in there.”
“You…” she said, throwing her bag into the bathroom. “Are a star.” Kicking off her shoes, she was quick to drag down the zip of her hoodie to yank it off. “Bryan stayed with Tia last night. They’re doing something in the apartment. I don’t want to think what… or interrupt not knowing what I’d see.”
“You’re welcome to get naked here anytime.”
Appreciating his humor, she took her hoodie into the bathroom and stripped off. She had a complete change of clothes in her gym bag. No blow dryer, but she’d make do.
In the shower, there wasn’t much in the way of toiletries. A same sex relationship had bonuses. The couple shared soap and shampoo. The single bottle of shaving gel betrayed they shared that too. Only one razor sat on the corner shelf. The level of intimacy was beyond anything she’d experienced with a partner.
If she was with a woman, they could share everything. Product. Clothes. Secrets. That was the type of relationship she wanted. One with complete truth and honesty. One with faith and loyalty and love. One with absolute openness. Where she could tell any truth and be accepted. Do anything and still be loved. Know that her heart was as safe as the one she’d be given in return. Why couldn’t she be attracted to women? Shame.
She took her time shampooing her hair. What gift could she give Alex in gratitude for saving her? Alex didn’t share much. He responded to direct questions most of the time. Sometimes his answers were brief and vague, sometimes he changed the subject. She didn’t push. It wasn’t her place to force anyone into sharing anything. Maybe that was why she was doomed to never have the relationship she wanted. While she had no problem telling people what she wanted, she had no interest in manipulating or cajoling anyone. The whole point of what she wanted was that her partner would want it too.
Getting out of the shower, she dried off with a towel she found in the closet, just like he’d said. How long had she been monopolizing the bathroom? Quite a while. She got dressed fast.
Would Alex or his boyfriend have a blow dryer? She opened the bathroom door and went out to the living room. Empty. The bedroom door was open, showing that it was too.
