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“Eight-thirty,” I say as she reads the time for herself. “You in a rush?”
“That’s probably my date. I was supposed to call him at eight to let him know if I was still free tonight.”
“Oh.” I have no right to feel disappointed. I’m the one who said we should just be friends. Regardless, it feels like a slap in the face.
“I don’t mean to run out on you.” She looks over her shoulder at the equipment. “I still want to help you load everything up.”
I ignore the beast of jealousy roaring in my chest and try to approach this conversation like an actual friend would. “Is he a good guy?”
“Too soon to tell,” she says quickly. “But he has a nine-to-five, doesn’t drink, likes sitcoms. He volunteers at the children’s hospital once a month. He calls exactly when he says he’s going to.”
“So, basically, Charlie’s polar opposite,” I add.
Lennox taps her nose twice, then points at me. “Exactly.”
“And where the hell did you meet a guy like that?”
She widens her eyes. “The grocery store of all places. He saw me knocking on watermelons, trying to find a good one.He helped me pick one out.” She holds her hands shoulder-width apart, demonstrating the size of the watermelon mystery guy picked. “Then he gave me his number and told me if the watermelon was sweet, I had to call him.” She rolls her wrist, swiveling her hand in the air. “It was pleasantly cute and innocent. I kind of felt like I was in a movie.”
Fuck. Pretty smooth of him.“And how was the watermelon?”
She pops the tip of her finger into her mouth and holds it between her teeth. There’s a dreamy look in her eyes, like she’s reliving the moment of that first bite…For fuck’s sake.Some random dude stole my girl with a piece of fruit.
“The sweetest I’d ever tasted,” she finally answers. “So, I owe him a date.” I really don’t like the way she’s smiling now. Obviously, she was charmed. “But I can see him a different night. I’ll help you get this all sorted.” She stands, stretching her arms overhead, then massages one shoulder like she’s sore.
“Nah, I got it. Get out of here.” I run my hand over my face, reluctant to add, “He sounds like a good guy. You deserve a good guy, Len. Good luck. I hope it works out.”What a bitter-tasting lie.He better not hurt her in any way, shape, or form, but I hope this dude is corny as fuck.
“Are you sure?” she asks. “I really don’t mind. We could maybe grab a bite on the way home.”
I tap her nose. “You don’t need to babysit me. Plus, I told Leah I’d call her this week.” I shrug. “Maybe tonight’s a good night.”
“Leah?” Lennox asks, unable to mask her surprise. “You asked out Leah? She’s been working at the dive shop for what—a millisecond?”
“A month,” I correct. “And I didn’t ask her out. She asked if I wanted to”—I tilt my head back, looking at the ceiling—“let’s sayNetflix and chill.”
“Oh, I…”
“You don’t like her?” I ask, surprised. “You’re the one who recommended her for the job.”
“No, I do. Leah’s great, it’s…she just got divorced, and it was—” Lennox stops mid-sentence. “It’s not my place to tell you, but I don’t think she’s looking for anything serious.”
I raise my eyebrows, admitting to the uncomfortable truth. “Yeah, I know. That’s kind of why we?—”
“Ah,”Lennox interrupts. “Got it. Say no more. You guys are actually perfect for each other.”
I hold up my hands. “She was your friend first. I don’t have to hang out with her. I can tell her it’s unprofessional. Me being her boss and all.”
Lennox grunts in laughter. “Boss,” she mumbles.
“What?”
“I’m trying to picture you in a suit and tie.” She makes a square outline with her fingers, framing my face, then squints one eye. “I don’t see it.”
I’ve let this ruse go on too far. I own at least one hundred suits. And at least as many pairs of business shoes. Back home, a quarter of my closet is dedicated to ties. Whatever Lennox is struggling to picture is exactly who I am.
Rising to my feet, I hold my hands out for hers. As soon as her small palms are in mine, I tug her up. “I own a few suits.”
“Sure you do.” She winks before her playful smile fades. “Leah likes Junior Mints. Addicted actually. They’re her catnip. She buys two boxes when we go to the movies, and she inhales them before the previews even start. It’d be a nice touch if you picked a box up for her before you guys, you know…watch a show.”