Page 62 of The Path to Loving Him
After a few seconds, I say, “Do I just act like everything is fine?”
“Acting like everything is fine has never worked in the history of humankind,” Abel says. “I think it’s one of those things where you’ll have to talk to her.”
“Yeah, set aside the anger and talk to her,” Hayes agrees.
“That’s easier said than done,” I mutter just as the back door to the kitchen opens, and she pops in, her robe in hand.
When she notices us all at the table, she pauses. “Uh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know you had company. I can shower another time.”
“No, it’s fine,” Abel says. “We’re just over here, chatting about you.”
I quickly give my friend a murderous glare, and he just shrugs unapologetically.
Taking the bait, she leans against the kitchen counter. “What is he saying?”
Abel doesn’t even skip a beat as he says, “That you tricked him, knew who he was all along, and that you lied. He’s also struggling with how to handle you since he likes you, so . . . yeah, that about sums it up.”
“You forgot the feeling-out-of-control thing,” Hayes mutters.
“Oh, right. He feels out of control about the entire situation. Something you need to know about our friend here is that he doesn’t like to feel out of control.”
“Abel,” I growl.
“It’s true. You see, he didn’t have the best childhood?—”
“That’s enough.” I turn toward her. “You can go take your shower.”
She doesn’t move. No, she continues to lean against the counter, holding her robe close to her. “Well, did he tell you that the reason I initially lied to him was because I knew who he was when I saw him at the bar and I was mad because he didn’t show up to the interview I had for the job and I thought that he was slighting me? Did he also tell you that I didn’t think I would get the job, so I thought a one-night stand would be fine? And did he also tell you that I had no idea he was buying this house, but I took the apartment because I could afford it, and it was better than living in a cardboard box down on the beach?”
Both Abel and Hayes stare at me. “He failed to mention such things.”
“Yeah, dude, that’s vital information that completes the story,” Hayes says. “That’s why there are always two sides.”
Buying into this insanity, I say, “Well, what she’s failing to mention is that the other night we had sex even though she knew that she was going to have to work with me very closely, not only in the same education department but on the field as well. She made it exponentially more uncomfortable.”
“Uh.” She holds up a finger. “Did you tell them that you were looking all sad and distraught?—”
“Because they were giving you my office, and I had no control over it,” I shoot back.
“I didn’t know that,” she defends. “And you were quick to move in close to me when I was talking to you that night. And you were the one who undid my robe. You made the move, and I think we both know at this point that we both find each other extremely attractive. Therefore, keeping our distance takes a lot of willpower that I didn’t possess that night, especially when you looked all sad and gloomy.”
“He does have a pretty sad and gloomy look,” Abel says.
“I think you tried offering him a hand job once when he was sad and gloomy,” Hayes says.
“Not fucking helpful,” I say as my two best friends laugh together.
“You’re right.” Abel straightens up. “Being that we have heard both sides, I think the solution is . . . you’re both adults, so why not just call it a miscommunication—something everyone hates—and move on from here?”
“I agree,” Hayes says as he sips from his soda. “You’re both in the wrong.”
“How the hell am I in the wrong?” I ask, pointing at my chest.
“By being all butt hurt about the job. Dude, you can’t do anything about it, so just move on and find out what her strengths are. You don’t even know if she’ll be a good asset. You’re just over here bitching about how you had no say in it. If she sucks, then you can bring that to the board’s attention. At least find out if she’s trash before you start complaining.”
“Valid,” Abel says.
“For the record, I’m not trash,” she says.
