“Oh, well my apologies. I didn’t mean to insinuate…”
“Yeah, you did, but I will give you a pass. You’re new here, and I am sure you are used to women throwing themselves at you, but I was only being friendly.”
“Well, in that case, I’d love to get a drink with you and Jen.”
“I’ll let you lock up and wait by the door. We can walk down to Wendi Macks together.”
I give her a chin lift and shutdown my computer.
Wendi Macks is a beer joint. Pool tables, darts, cheap beer. Turns out Linda’s girlfriend, Jen is a bartender here and a total knockout. Short auburn curly hair, freckles that dust her nose, and a bubble butt that I could sit my beer on.
Jen touches Linda’s hand briefly as she slides her a glass of wine. “I’ll be off in ten. Then I can join you,” she tells her.
I take a long drink of my beer, needing it more than I thought after that heavy conversation with Eddie. “So, how long you two been a thing?”
Linda sips her wine giving me a hint of a smile over the brim. “I’m glad you are cool about this. I have lost jobs in the past when my workplace found out. Of course, on the record they would write me up for some infraction to cover their ass, but I have loved her since I was in tenth grade. She was new at school and the moment I saw her I knew there was something different. I had never felt that way before and luckily for me when I got the nerve up to kiss her, she kissed me back.” She laughs, her eyes flitting over to Jen as she serves other customers.
“I’m sorry about the asshole bosses. Eddie and I don’t operate like that. As long as you do your job what you do outside of work is your business. The two of you make a nice couple though.”
“Are Eddie and you….” Her fingers dance over the wineglass.
“Are Eddie and me, what?”
“Partners?”
“Well yeah. We’ve been together for I don’t know…eight years.”
“That’s so sweet.” I nod not really getting her meaning but happy to have some company for a change. Branson is newly married with twins on the way. The man never has time for anything outside of work. He and his wife have invited me over once a week for dinner, but I always feel as though I am imposing on them.
Eventually Jen joins us and Linda keeps asking me questions about Eddie and me and then it finally hits me. She thinks we’re a couple. I choke on my beer when she says, “Are you the bottom or the top?”
“He strikes me as a top?” Jen muses and I do get choked this time.
I sputter. “You have it all wrong. Eddie and me no way no how. We’ve been best friends all my life and he’s getting married next month. In fact, I’m dating his sister.” So, technically that last bit was a lie, but I don’t want rumors going around the office about Eddie and me. I mean, shit I don’t have anything against gay men I’m just not one myself.
“Mhmm,” Linda murmurs giving Jen a look.
I sigh and pull out my phone. “Don’t believe me. Fine.” I dial up Faye on video chat.
“Hello,” she answers sounding breathless.
“Hey, beautiful.”
She rolls her eyes and then I notice where she is. She’s in bed with Enzo. Fuck.
“What’s up?”
“Just um checking in to see if you have everything ready for your flight.”
“Yup, I will see you soon enough. Was that all?”
I flinch as Enzo kisses her bare shoulder. Bastard.
“No, I wanted to introduce you to Linda but that can wait.”
“Okay. Talk to you later.”
“Yeah, later.”