Page 22 of Holiday Crush
“Totally badass,” he agreed. “Hey…for the record, you’re right about a couple of things. I thoughtI’dbe married with kids by now too. But to be clear, my sexuality isn’t the reason I’m not a husband or a dad. I just haven’t met the right person and I haven’t…done enough. I have nothing to offer anyone—guy or girl. No job security, no big bank account. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve done okay. I guess I thought I’d have more by now.”
I scoffed. “Oh, honey, I don’t think the right person is supposed to care about the size of your bank account.”
“Maybe not.”
“Definitely not. I dated a trust-fund baby when I was at NYU. His name was Tristan and when we first met, I thought he was so fun and witty, and hot in an artist-type way—longish hair, cheekbones for days, full lips, and a wardrobe of sweeping coats that swished elegantly when he walked into a room. But sadly, he was under the impression that unlimited access to whatever the fuck he wanted via his dad’s fancy American Express card hid his not-so-fun traits. He talked over people, never admitted he was wrong, wore too much cologne, and came way too soon. In short, he wasnotall that and a bag of chips.”
Court hooted merrily. “Ouch. How long were you with him?”
“Eight months. And I’d like to return four of those months, please,” I snarked. “I think I’ve amassed a good year of my life I’d like back on bad dates. No kidding. I dated a stockbroker who talked about his mother for two hours straight, a lawyer who chewed with his mouth open, and a guy who listed the calories of every item on both of our plates before we ate.”
“No way!” he snorted.
“Way. And that’s just a sample. I could go on. The maddening part was that I went out with a couple of those bozos more than once. I’m not a fast learner when it comes to men. It starts with a crush and if I act on it…boom—I’m a useless glob of putty.”
“A crush, eh?”
“Oh, hell yeah. I’m a notorious crusher. I have no shame. And you want to hear something absolutely bananas?Youwere my very first crush,” I proclaimed, sucking an ice cube into my mouth.
“Me?” Court pointed at his chest. “Really?”
Yes, I was buzzed, and I might even be mortified in the morning that I’d shared this tidbit, but maybe not. That was a lifetime ago. And I was cured, remember?
I snickered. “Really. You were so…nice. And cute too.”
“Oh. You mean when we were in grade school.”
“Well, it started in kindergarten but didn’t stop till high school.” I gestured at the bottle as I stood. “More?”
“Uh, no thanks,” Court replied in a daze.
“Yeah, me either. I’m already buzzed, and I’m working early tomorrow.” I stretched my arms above my head and stifled a yawn. “I love my job, but the hours suck and—”
“Is that why you stopped talking to me?” he intercepted. “I know we weren’t tight friends or anything, but you totally stiff-armed me in high school. For no good reason.”
“Are you joking? Self-preservation is a fabulous reason. Nothing positive comes from mooning over a straight jock when you’re a gay kid on the bottom of the social totem pole. Besides, you had a girlfriend and…” I sighed theatrically and batted my eyelashes. “It broke my heart. Bagel for the road?”
“Uh…no, thanks.”
I did a double take and pulled a yikes face. “Hey, don’t freak out now. It was a long time ago. I promise I’m over you.”
“Uh…right. Okay.”
We were silent for a moment and no, it wasn’t the comfy kind.Ugh. Note to self…stop talking.
I couldn’t do it.
“If I really wanted to meet an eligible bachelor, I’d venture outside of Elmwood more often. Kind of impossible to do, unless…we expand our business.”
Court nodded encouragingly, happy to take the topic-change bait. “That’s a great idea. Where would you go?”
“I’m not sure. Maybe Pinecrest, Fallbrook, or Wood Hollow to begin with, and one day Burlington or Albany or…New York City.”
“I like that. Dream big.”
“That’s all it is at the moment…a dream. JC gave me the idea the day of the penis incident.” I paused to wink at him, adding, “I haven’t been able to shake it. Stacy and I need to chat first, but we need to sell more than coffee. I’m thinking of talking to your parents.”
“You should,” he agreed. “I bet they’d be open to discussing a partnership. They sell bread to a couple of bistros in Pinecrest, and they do some overflow baking for the diner too. I can bring it up to them if you want.”