Page 23 of The Bad Husband

“There’s this guy at work,” she says, chewing slowly.

“Was he there today?” I ask, lifting my drink to my lips.

“Nope. He works on weekends, and he’s off on Mondays and Tuesdays. He’s a college student in Washington, D.C.”

“Washington D.C.?”

“Uh-huh.”

I give her a smile.

“Are you thinking about a long-distance relationship?”

She studies me and laughs.

“You’re funny. I thought you wanted to get laid, not to have a relationship. He doesn’t need to be from New York to sleep with you.”

I concede with a soft gesture.

“Okay. All right. Go on. What is he studying? Let me guess. Political Science?”

“Can you stay quiet for a moment?” she chides me with humor.

“I’m all ears. What’s so special about him?”

She searches my eyes before shifting her focus to the waitress and signaling her to come to us.

“I’ll order another one. I’m still hungry,” she says before she turns to me. “Do you want another burger?’

“Nope. I’m full.”

The waitress nods and moves away from the table.

“Yes. He studies Political Science, and, um… He’s looking for a girlfriend. Tada.”

An amused grin brightens her eyes.

“Tada? I’m not looking for a boyfriend. Didn’t you just say I needed to get laid and not look for a relationship? Plus, what if we hit it off and end up in a long-distance relationship?”

“Washington is not that far from New York.”

“Says the woman who didn’t want to date a guy from Long Island.”

She chuckles.

“Busted. Anyway, he’s my first choice for you. He checks off a lot of qualities on your list. He’s cute, quiet, and awkward.”

“I was going for shy.”

“Shy. Awkward. What’s the difference? It’s the same to me.”

She flashes a grin, while my eyes hover over her face.

The blue dress shirt she’s required to wear for work does her justice. It pairs well with her white pencil pants and red lipstick, hair, and nails.

I can see Keira a few years from now, wearing something similar with the same poise.

It comes so naturally to her.