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“True. And I don’t relish the idea of dating another accountant.”
We both laughed. “Me neither.”
“Is seven o’clock okay?” asked Omar.
“Perfect. See you soon.”
I had just thrown away the containers after pouring the food into dishes when the doorbell rang.
“Coming!” I jogged across the small kitchen to reach the front door.
Dressed in a sleek black shirt and brown pants, Omar beamed at me. “Hi!” he said, then leaned in and hugged me.
“Thanks for coming,” I reached behind Omar to shake Richard’s hand. I’d only met Richard a handful of times before today, and each time had been quick and casual, so I wasn’t sure how he felt about hugging. But when he pulled my hand to draw me into his arms for a tight embrace, I knew he was a hugger, too.
“Thanks so much for inviting us. I’ve been looking forward to spending time with you, Grace.”
“Me too, Richard. Please come in.”
Omar hung his and Richard’s jacket on the coat rack while I went to the living room to check on my mother. Her eyes were closed, but a serene smile played on her face. “Mom. Omar and Richard are here.”
Her eyes fluttered and her smile grew. “Oh good. Richard, did you say? Who’s he?”
“He’s Omar’s boyfriend,” I said, as I helped her up from the couch and walked with her to the kitchen.
“Oh. I thought Omar was single.”
“He isn’t. Richard seems nice, though.”
“We’ll see,” she said and I rolled my eyes.
As I settled my mom onto one of the kitchen chairs, Richard bellowed, “My goodness, Grace. This must be your mother. It’s obvious where you get your beauty from.”
I stared at Omar and pulled my lips into my mouth to stop a giggle from escaping. Omar seemed to fight the same battle.
Richard walked over to us, grabbed my mother’s hand, and kissed it. “Richard. Charmed.”
“Well, aren’t you a gentleman?” she said. “I’m Evelyn.” Then she turned to me and whispered. “Grace, you have such wonderful friends.”
And just like that, I knew Richard had won my mother over.
But Richard truly was a gentleman. He pulled out a chair for me and Omar before sitting at the table himself.
The conversation flowed as freely as the wine and I even laughed a few times when Richard told the story of when Omar lost the hamster in his apartment and had to lure him back with a piece of tinfoil and peanut butter. Imagining Omar in a suit and tie kneeling on the floor waiting for the furry rodent to come out made me laugh out loud.
“So, how long have you two known each other?” asked Richard as we finished our dinner.
“Too long,” teased Omar, and I slapped his shoulder.
“Five years,” I said. “Omar and I worked on the same audit and we hit it off right away.”
“She got shit done and I liked that,” said Omar, standing to clear our plates. I stood as well to help.
I looked back and watched Richard talk to my mom. A satisfied smile stayed on her lips while she folded her hands on her lap. I could tell from her slumped shoulders she was getting tired and I would have to encourage her to go to bed soon.
She seemed to be worsening little by little each day, but I wouldn’t panic. I would finish this audit, be promoted to senior audit manager, and get my mother onto the new meds that she needs.
“How’s the audit at Crawford Corp going?” asked Omar.
