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“Oh, hey, Troy. I didn’t see you there.”
“Iworkhere,” he said.
“Oh, right.”
I stifled a laugh, but Troy’s gaze shot to me and I swallowed it down.
“Monica,” he said. There was not one trace of a smile on his face.
“Yes?” I asked.
“You know you only have an hour,” he said, looking from me to his sister.
Was he being serious? Our lunches together would sometimes last two hours.
“Yes, I’m aware,” I replied with a touch of annoyance.
“Well, don’t be late,” he said firmly, crossing his arms.
“You’re really letting that power get to your head, bro,” said Erica. “I think it’s growing right before my eyes.”
“Shut up,” he said.
“I’ll have her back in exactly an hour,boss.” She gave him a little salute and then rolled her eyes. I let out the laugh I had been holding, which seemed to annoy Troy even more.
“Now, thatthat’sover. Let’s go.” She intertwined her arm in mine and started leading me toward the elevators. “I know this great little spot.”
Troy muttered something behind us, but I couldn’t make it out. I was sure it wasn’t pleasant, but it made me smile anyway.
Erica took me to a trendy little deli a few blocks away where lush plants hung from the ceiling and framed the windows. White marble high-top tables were sprinkled throughout the warm wood interior. It was packed with the lunch crowd. We ordered two pastrami sandwiches and a basket of fries to share before taking a seat at a window table.
It didn’t take long for Erica to start asking questions.
“So….” she started, looking at me with a raised brow.
“So…?”
I knew what she was about to ask.
“What’s going on with you and my brother?” she asked, popping a fry in her mouth.
“Oh, wow. Getting right to it.” I chuckled.
She laughed. “I’m just wondering. You two were so cozy in the Bahamas. What gives?”
I really didn’t want to get into this with her, but I should have known it would come up. He was her brother, after all. I knew I could probably get some insight from her on the complicated workings of Troy’s brain, but I wasn’t sure I really wanted to know. I also didn’t want to cry over my sandwich and soda.
“Oh, I don’t know. It’s just been really busy at work.” I shrugged.
“Mhmm,” she said sarcastically.
She wasn’t buying it.
“Just so you know, I really liked you for him,” she said.
I swallowed hard.Don’t cry. Don’t cry.
“Thanks,” I said softly.