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I clear my throat, unsure what I’m actually going to tell him now that he’s on the phone. “Hi, Evander.”
Ev chuckles a bit, though I’m not sure why. Then he seems to catch some of the tension in my tone because he says, “Oh gods, Lake, you’re not canceling, are you?”
I swallow back some of my guilt. He sounds devastated. “I don’t want to.”
“But you’re going to anyway?” he asks cautiously.
“I can’t give you any details, but I know you both already figured out I don’t actually work for an accounting firm.”
Evander’s voice seems overly formal as he answers, “Yes, we suspected.”
“I’m sorry. One day I’d like to tell you what I do, but I can’t today. There’s an emergency at work. One that quite literally could be life or death. It’s going to take me hours to work through this. I won’t be able to get away.” I pause, expecting Evander to say something, but he doesn’t.
“I’m sorry. I actually was looking forward to this.”
Evander is quiet for so long I think he disconnected, but no, he’s still there. “Will you get a break to eat?”
I have no idea what he’s talking about. “There will be lulls when I can walk away, yes. And I have two very capable assistants that can be trusted once I wade through these early parts.”
“How long do you think you can get away, Lake?” Evander asks patiently.
“Maybe a half an hour? Forty-five minutes?”
“Ok, Logan and I will bring food to you.” Before I can protest, Evander continues, “I’m assuming we can’t come into the building?”
“That’s correct.”
“Is there anywhere close by we can meet? A park or something?”
I’m still trying to process exactly what’s happening, even as I rattle off the name of a small park with picnic tables and benches for eating. There’s even a section with fire pits so it won’t be as cold to eat outside.
“Perfect. I know of an amazing Greek place not far from there. Do you like Greek food?”
I’m so overwhelmed, not having expected this conversation to go like this at all, but I do manage to squeak out a “yes,” to Evander’s question.
“Is eight still ok? Or should we wait to hear from you?”
“Um, I believe eight’s ok. If I need to change it, I can let you know.”
“That sounds great, sweetheart. I’ll let Logan know.”
What just happened? He’s not upset? He’s not going to grill me about my job or the assignment? I don’t ask any of these things. The only thing that somehow comes out is, “He won’t be upset? I know he had plans.”
Evander laughs. “Sweetheart, Logan is a detective with the NYPD. I can’t even count how many times he’s had to cancel or reschedule plans or how many girls broke up with him because his schedule was too unreliable. He’s the last person to give you shit about a work commitment.”
The tension in my shoulders starts to ease. I was concerned my first chance at romance was going to be dead before it began. The warmth in my belly spreads again, but now I’m finally starting to understand what it means.
“Thank you.” I practically whisper it.
“There’s no reason to thank me, Lake. I’m not going to ask about your job right now because I understand you can’t tell me anything. But one day, if things go the way I want them to, I hope you’ll be able to tell us the truth.”
I swallow down the emotions threatening to well up. How did I manage to meet a man so understanding? I think of all my coworkers who are married or in relationships, even the analysts who don’t have to hide their profession, and all of them are given a hard time regarding their hours. I’m not naive enough to think it’ll never happen, but that he’s willing to give this a chance means everything.
“I understand. And I hope to be able to tell you one day too. There’s a system regarding that. Once we’re at that place, I will give you and Logan all of the information.”
“Thank you, sweetheart. That’s all I ask. Ok, I’m sure you have to get back. If I don't hear from you, Logan and I will meet you at that park at eight. If anything changes, just text one or both of us.”
“I will.” I hang up and make my way back up to the office, feeling so much lighter. I still feel bad I'm making them change their plans, but hopefully, one day, we will be able to have the date Logan planned. For now, I’m just relieved they’re still willing to see me at all. I quickly set an alarm for 7:50 and get back to work.
