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I could hear her smile through the phone. “Don’t be ridiculous, there is no rubbing going on.”
She laughed.
“I mean, no, of course not. We’ve barely spoken.”
“Oh. That’s too bad. I was starting to think the universe was conspiring with me on this.”
“The only thing the universe is conspiring on is to help that man humiliate me.”
“Oh, he’s not like that.”
“Oh, he really is, Sarah. I hate to be the one to burst your bubble. But your brother really isn’t a nice guy.”
Sarah was quiet, and I closed my eyes. “I’m sorry, Sarah. That was a really shitty thing to say.”
“You just don’t know him yet.”
Perhaps.
My experience had been limited to one blind date, or rather, nearly one blind date. “You’re right. He’s probably a great brother.”
“Maybe I can come by tonight and help bridge the gap between the two of you.”
“That’s really not necessary. Besides, he stays in his car.”
“In the cold?” she said, her voice rising.
She made it sound so… well, so awful. “I’m not the one asking him to stay there. He’s welcome to go home.”
There was silence on the line for a second and then she added, “I’ll bring dinner for the three of us.”
Oh no! I shook my head, even though Sarah couldn’t see it.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“We all have to eat. Might as well eat together. Besides, you haven’t tried my lasagna yet and I can defrost one from the freezer. It’s no trouble at all.”
Lasagna sounded terrific after all the packaged soups and salads I’d been eating. And I didn’t want to hurt Sarah’s feelings again, so I asked, “Six-thirty okay?”
“Perfect,” said Sarah. “See you then.”
I groaned but got to work.
I didn’t check my phone until my stomach growled three hours later. It was only twelve thirty, but I was starving. I’d brought a microwave dinner for lunch and, while it wasn’t my favorite, I wasn’t very picky about food. Especially when I didn’t have to make it.
I swung open my office door and tried my best to ignore him, but he wore a black suit and tie today and I’d always been a sucker for a man in a black suit.
I heard his footfall behind me as he trotted down the stairs. I held onto the railing, terrified I’d miss a step and fall flat on my face.
I turned before I walked down the hallway to the lunchroom. “I’m just breaking for lunch. You don’t need to follow me in there.”
He didn’t even blink.
“If you sit on this couch, you’ll have a perfect view of the lunchroom without actually being in it. Deal?”
He stepped once to his right, checking the angle. “Fine.”
I sighed in relief. “Thank you.”
