- Sebastian -
I pulled my sport coat off as I headed to my room to change, getting a humid whiff of body wash when I passed the bathroom door.
After changing into some sweats, I grabbed my iPad from beside the bed and called hello to Tiffany when I heard the shower stop running so she wouldn’t get a fright.
“Hi!” she said from the other side of the door, sounding ridiculously cheerful for a Thursday evening.
I cracked a beer and slumped on the sofa, letting my workday tension melt from me as I did my best to ignore the mess she’d made in the sitting room. On the plus side, at least it was a good mess. Instead of several lines and a bunch of highlighted De Beers ads, her laptop was open beside a camera and a pile of unfolded clothes and accessories.
I studied the display with approval before lowering my eyes to catch up on the day’s headlines. But it was a joke. Lily was all I could think about…along with her body, which was guilty of hijacking a large percentage of my daydreaming.
Still, as smitten as I was, I couldn’t help but wish I knew where she stood.
Granted, I was confident that the closet incident was evidence that she was falling for me, too, but I was getting frustrated at how guarded she was.
Or perhaps she was being normal, and it only felt like she was being guarded because I’d so willingly lain my cards on the table.
But that’s the kind of guy I was. I wasn’t into dicking women around and making them guess what I was thinking. I knew how much that annoyed me, and I was a firm believer in the Golden Rule.
I also believed actions spoke louder than words.
Fortunately, we’d been keeping in regular contact since the last time we met, which made it easier to forgive her distance following our first date when, clearly, something had come up. Something she didn’t want to talk about.
Then again, I wasn’t the kind of guy that was so insecure I needed to control a woman’s every move. Except for Tiffany’s maybe, but that was only because she needed help and hadn’t given me much choice.
The point was, as much as I was determined to listen to my gut, it was hard not to be unsettled by the concerns my father and brother had voiced, even if their instruction to move on was lousy advice. After all, both of them had only ever had eyes for one woman, too, so why shouldn’t it be the same for me?
“Hey!” Tiffany said, towel drying her hair as she strolled down the hall in a pink romper.
“How are you?” I asked, looking critically at her eyes for signs of drug use. Much to my pleasant surprise, they were sparkly and clear. Again. She’d been doing so well. I honestly couldn’t have been prouder if I were the one getting clean.
“I’m doing great, actually.” She slung her towel over her shoulders and stepped over the back of the couch onto the cushions near her stuff.
“Did you go to counseling today?”
She nodded.
“I’m really impressed, Tiff. And you look great. Really healthy.”
“I feel it,” she said.
“Are you getting anxious or anything?” I asked, knowing it would be naïve to think she wasn’t feeling tempted.
“Only about my friendship with Tracey.”
“Why is that?”
“She’s having a hard time being supportive of me right now.”
I narrowed my eyes at her.
“Since I’m not as much fun as she’s used to me being.”
“That’s not true.”
“I know,” she said, crossing her legs. “It’s only natural that she misses her favorite drug buddy, but I can’t be around her right now.”
“I’m pleased that you recognize that.”
“Everyone in my support group can relate,” she said. “So that helps. Knowing it’s not just me.”
“I’m sorry Tracey is taking it hard, but if she’s a good friend, she should be happy you’re getting clean.”
She shrugged. “I know. It just sucks to question the whole relationship, ya know? Like, you think you know someone and suddenly you realize maybe it was just the drugs you had in common.”
I nodded. “That’s tough.”
“It is what it is,” she said. “But I’m staying focused.”
“Good.” I set my iPad down and put my feet on the coffee table.
“I actually can’t believe how much I got done this week. It’s amazing how much time gets freed up when you stop squandering all of it on the search for your next high.”
“I can imagine,” I said, nodding towards her laptop. “What’s all this then?”
“I’m just making a blog schedule for next month. I even wrote one today.”
I raised my eyebrows.
“I know it doesn’t sound like much, but it’s a big deal for me since I’m not a great writer.”
“I don’t think that’s a problem as long as you have something to say.”
“I think I do,” she said, her eyes smiling as she clasped her hands together. “And it’s going to be really visual. That’s how I’m hoping to get my message across, anyway.”
“Sounds like you’re making great progress.”
“I really appreciate the support,” she said. “And the tough love.”
I turned an ear towards her.
“I guess I just felt sort of hopeless when I thought no one cared whether I was looking after myself, if that makes sense.”
“I hope you’ve realized people do care.”
“I told my counselor how you’ve been there for me, how you didn’t chuck me out when I gave you every reason to, and I just want you to know how grateful I am that you let me stay.”
“All I want is for you to get better. You’re such a bright woman. It would be a tragedy for you to waste your unique talents.”
“Well, someday when my blog lands me an editorial in one of the big magazines, I’ll be sure to give you a shout out.”
“You following your dreams is thanks enough.”
“Are you sure?” she asked. “Most guys would love a mention in a women’s magazine. It would be, like, the best singles ad ever.”
“I’m good. Really.”
“Suit yourself,” she said.
“Thanks.”
“Can I ask you a favor?” she asked.
“Shoot.”
“I’m toying with the idea of including tips on the blog for dressing your man.”
I furrowed my brow.
“Since most guys aren’t blessed with your dress sense.”
“Compliment accepted.”
“And I was wondering if you might be the face of it for me for a while. Just while I’m getting started since I can’t afford to hire someone.”
“I’m flattered.”
“Is that a yes?”
“What do I have to do?”
“Look brooding and let me take your picture in some clothes.”
“As long as you don’t put me in anything too…”
She leaned her head forward.
“Wacky.”
“Wacky is not the aesthetic I’m going for.”
“Okay, then. Why not?”
“Ahh!” She threw her hands in the air and came over to give me a hug. “You’re the best!”
I patted her back, pleased to find that her body felt stronger than it did a few weeks ago.
“One more thing?” She fell back on the couch beside me.
I rolled my eyes. “Isn’t there always?”
“I was wondering if you might still let me come to your company’s Fourth of July party.”
“Uhh.”
“I know we’re not together anymore, but I haven’t been out in ages, and I’m trying to avoid the crowd I usually go out with, for obvious reasons.”
“Right.”
“So I thought maybe you’d still let me be your date, since I know a lot of the people, and I would feel safe socializing with you there.”
My first thought was fuck that. The last thing I needed was her falling off the wagon and going on a huge bender in front of my most important colleagues.
“I’ll be on my best behavior,” she said. “I just can’t bear the thought of sitting home alone watching the fireworks from the pullout.”
Truth be told, I hadn’t been thinking about the party at all, and while the only woman I was interested in taking out right now was Lily, something told me she wasn’t ready to hobnob alongside me at an office party.
“Pleeease,” Tiffany said. “I have the most festive dress to wear, and I’ve been working so hard.”
I sighed. “I am blown away by how much progress you’ve made.”
“Five minutes with Tom’s wife could be a total game changer for me. She always compliments what I’m wearing, and she knows all the right people.”
“Okay.”
Her eyebrows jumped up her face. “Really?”
“Sure. It’s obviously important to you.”
She threw her arms around me again. “Thank you so much. I owe you so big.”
No shit.