“He could have any woman he wants.”
“You made him work for it.”
“Not very hard,” Suzy said, snorting at the idea.
“I don’t know. You’d known him nearly two years, and then you finally gave in. In Pixie-timeline that’s like, a hundred.”
“You can’t be serious.”
“I’m totally serious. He’s never had to work for a woman. Never ever. You’re the first woman I know that he’s actually stayed serious about. He hasn’t been with anyone else. He could have feelings for you.”
Suzy paused. She didn’t even want to hope of that. When she first saw Pixie, he’d made her nervous. Like really nervous. She saw right through his act, and knew he was a player, using women and tossing them aside when he was done. She never wanted to fall victim to that. Then through Cora, Grace, and Pixie’s random visits to the shop, she’d started to like him, and his attention. When they slept together, those feelings didn’t change. If anything, she tried to keep him at arm’s length so she didn’t fall so easily.
“What’s wrong?” Chloe asked.
“I don’t know. I like him as well. I mean, he’s not this asshole when he’s with me. He makes me laugh.”
“Why haven’t you told anyone about you two being together?” Chloe asked. “Are you ashamed of him?”
“No, not at all. I mean, I think I was ashamed of myself for falling for him. Just being another woman in a random bunch of women. I’m not immune to his charm.” Suzy tucked some of her hair behind her ear. “The thing is, he’s not the guy he makes out he is at the club. When we’re alone, he’s different. He’s kind, and he’s thoughtful, and I can’t imagine being with anyone else.” She stopped eating, and put her plate on the table.
“What is it?” she asked.
“When I was ill, and you and Grace weren’t around, he’d bring me soup, and sit with me until you guys got home. He sat and watched reruns of some comedy show on television. The other day, he stayed all night, and I slept in his arms.” She rubbed her eyes. “God, he even got me a job.”
“What?”
“He’s the one that got me this job with James and the club. I told him I may have to leave Greater Falls to go somewhere else. I didn’t go. I’m right here because I’m going to get paid well. All James asked was for me to keep your guys’ secrets, and that is exactly what I’m going to do.”
“Dirty Fuckers need privacy. I’ll never tell their secrets, and I don’t even ask Richard about them either. I love them like a family.”
Suzy stood and grabbed her plate, heading toward the kitchen. “I don’t know what to do.”
“What do you mean?” Chloe asked, following her.
“If I fall for him, and he picks someone else, I’m screwed. I never even thought of this when I decided to take this damn job. Ugh, I’m so stupid. How can I allow myself to be with him? I’m not the kind of woman who’ll be able to stand to see him with other women!” She opened the fridge and grabbed out an orange juice.
“What if he’s not like that?”
“What do you mean? It’s Pixie. You’ve known him longer than I have. Does he strike you as the kind of guy to settle down?”
“He didn’t strike me as the kind of guy to stay hunting for a girl who didn’t want him.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means that when it comes to Pixie, I really don’t know what to expect.” Chloe took a bottle of juice out of the fridge, and they both made their way back to the sofa. Collapsing down onto the plush fabric, Suzy rested her head back against it. “Do you have feelings for him?” Chloe asked.
“Yeah, I do. More than I even want to admit to. I’m a sucker. Just tell me now.”
“You’re a sucker, but you really can’t help it,” Chloe said, patting her hand. “You’re good for Pixie.”
“I was worried that you would all get angry with me.”
“What for?”
“Giving in to Pixie.”
“Sweetie, I’m not one to judge. Look at me, I spent the entire weekend with Richard, and I only got back this morning.”