by Robin Stone
“Brooke, Evan. How nice you look!”
We spoke with her for a few minutes, then made our way to a table. Thankfully, the silverware situation was a little more under control at this event.
The scent of cooked food was making my stomach growl. Waiters came around to get drink orders.
“Linda, over here!” Diane said, waving.
Brooke let out an aggravated sigh, but before I could wonder about it, Linda and Charles came over to our table, and Linda sat by me. Tonight, she was wearing a blue dress with a deep neckline.
“We meet again, darling,” she said.
“Nice to see you, Linda.”
Waitresses came out with trays holding salads. Brooke and her coworkers talked shop a little. Then they talked about the hotel renovations. The conversation turned to food when the main course came out.
Dinner was excellent, especially the potato croquettes. Soon after dinner was cleared away, the awards ceremony began. We listened to some speeches, and I clapped when the others clapped. Finally, some of the awards were announced, and people went up to collect them.
Brooke was called up for her top sales award, and our table erupted in loud applause. She came back smiling, holding another wooden plaque to hang on the wall at work.
She didn’t win the bigger award, and I patted her on the back.
“Oh well,” she said. “Where’s that waiter? I need another drink now.”
“I’ll get another one for you. Same thing?”
“Yes, thank you.”
“I’ll come with you,” Linda said, standing up with me.
“Okay,” I said.
We headed over to the bar in the corner of the room. There was a short line, so Linda and I stood together waiting. I looked over toward our table, but there were people and waitresses walking around, and I couldn’t see Brooke from here.
“I’m so glad we got away for a little bit,” Linda said. “I was hoping to ask you something.”
I got a weird vibe from her again, and she was standing a little too close for my liking.
“Oh?” I asked, taking a small step back.
“Yes.” She stepped closer again, turning her back to the room.
“Brooke told me that she hired you to be her escort for a couple of weeks. And I was wondering…”
She slipped her hand inside my jacket, touching my waist.
“I was wondering if you wanted a little extra work? Brooke said you’re very discrete.”
Twenty
My mouth dropped open, and heat rushed up my neck and into my cheeks. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.
Brooke? Brooke told her about me?
I took Linda’s hand and pushed it away.
“I don’t know what Brooke told you, but it’s not like that.”
“Oh. Right.” She winked. “I get it.”
“No, I mean it. It’s not what you think. Besides, aren’t you married? Charles—”
“My husband has had a special friend for years now. And I’m looking for a new one. What do you say, Evan?”
“Sir, can I help you?” the bartender asked.
I walked up and ordered another drink for Brooke since I wasn’t sure what else to do. I stuffed some money in the tip glass and waited, sweat running down my temple.
“Come now, darling,” Linda said. “We’re all adults. Won’t you reconsider?”
The bartender came back with Brooke’s drink, and I thanked him.
“It’s not like you have better offers,” Linda said. “Being a janitor is beneath a handsome man like you. You clean up quite nicely. I’m sure you could get more of… this type of work if you really wanted it. I have some friends who would be interested, too.”
I picked up Brooke’s drink and stormed back to the table, not caring that I was splashing wine on my tux. I had to wait for several waitresses to walk by. I finally reached the table and set Brooke’s drink down in front of her, sloshing it on the white tablecloth.
“Here’s your goddamn drink, Brooke. I’m leaving.”
Brooke looked at me, her mouth open. “Evan, what’s wrong?”
But I shook my head, turned, and stormed toward the exit. I weaved around tables and finally made it out into the hallway. I walked to the elevators, punching the up buttons on both of them.
I paced back and forth while the world’s slowest elevators stopped on every floor. One of the elevators had come down to the second floor and stopped for over a minute.
“Come on!” I said, willing it to come down. “Come on!”
“Evan.”
I heard Brooke’s voice and saw her rushing toward me. The elevator doors opened, and I went inside, frantically pushing the button to close the door.
“Evan, please, I’m so sorry!” Brooke’s cheeks were red, and tears ran down her cheeks, smearing her mascara. “Evan, wait!”
But the doors closed before she could reach me.
Upstairs, I took off my tux and changed. I opened my bag and swept all my stuff from the bathroom counter in. I stuffed my jeans and t-shirts into my bag but left the dressy clothing in the bedroom.
I wasn’t going to need it again.
I was stuffing my feet back into my sneakers when the door opened, and Brooke swept in, breathless and tear-stained.
“Evan. Please. The elevator took so long. Please. I can explain.”
She was clutching her side, leaning over and gasping for air as if she’d run from the elevator and down the hall.
My insides clenched seeing her, but my anger overruled any romantic feelings I had.
“You made me feel so cheap tonight. Like a goddamn prostitute!” I said, trying not to yell. “I’m leaving. I’m so fuckin’ embarrassed.”
“Evan. Please.”
“You told Linda about our deal, huh? Told her I was a janitor? Did you also tell Stephen? Did you tell Diane, and everyone else at the office? Have a laugh at my expense?”
“No, that’s not what happened. I can explain!”
“Forget it,” I said. “I’m leaving. I won’t talk to you when I’m at work. And don’t talk to me when you see me, either.”
“I have your money,” she said in a small voice. “I was going to give it to you tonight.”
She walked over to the safe in the suite and punched in the combination. She took out a large envelope, then closed the safe. She walked over and laid the envelope on the small table.
“It’s all there. You can count it. Please let me explain.”
I shook my head. “No. I’m leaving.”
Hoisting my bag over my shoulder, I scanned the room to see if I forgot anything. I saw my keys on the counter behind Brooke. I walked toward her and reached out for them, and she flinched, throwing up her hands and shielding her face.
Instantly, I felt like an asshole.
“Brooke, I’m so sorry. I was just reaching for my keys behind you.”
She stepped aside, and I grabbed my keys and walked toward the door.
“I’m sorry, Brooke. I’d never hurt you. I’ve never raised a hand to a woman, and I never will.”
“I know that,” she said. “I just reacted, I couldn’t help it. But please, take the money. I want you to get a house for you and Matty. I don’t care if you use another agent to buy a house, just please do it. I’m so sorry.”
She started sobbing and walked into the bedroom. I heard the bathroom door close, and her sobs became muffled.
I looked at the envelope on the table. So close.
But I couldn’t take it. Not now.
I opened the door and left.
Liam was drinking a beer and watching a movie when I got home. He sat up and paused the movie.
“Hey, what the hell are you doing here? Is the time up already?”
“It is now,” I growled.
“Uh oh.”
I went to my room and started unpacking my bag. Liam got up and came over to my doorway.
“You wanna talk about it?” he asked. “I can get y
ou a beer.”
“Maybe later. I want to take a shower and start some laundry.”
“Okay. Well, just holler.”
I took a shower, washing off the nice cologne Brooke had given me. After I got dressed, I grabbed my laundry basket and quarters and went down to the basement laundry room.
Thankfully, the laundry room was empty, but two of the dryers were on. I tossed my stuff in a washer, added my quarters, and turned it on. I debated staying down here with the hum of the machines for a while, but I trudged up the stairs and went back to the apartment.
Liam’s movie was almost over. I went to the fridge and opened it to see what we had. Nothing looked appealing.
“Do we have any ice cream?” I asked.
“Yeah, I bought some this week.”
I opened the fridge, took out the tub, and put it on the counter. I grabbed two bowls and two spoons. I picked up the carton and looked at the flavor.
Cookie dough.
“Shit.”
“What?” Liam asked. “There should be some left.”
“There is, it’s just… it’s Brooke’s favorite flavor.”
“Damn, I’m sorry. You told me to just get what was on sale.”
“Yeah.”
Opening the carton, I spooned some out for me and Liam, then threw the empty carton in the trash. I brought the bowls over to the couch, and we watched the rest of the movie.
“I rented this other movie,” he said, clicking the remote. It was the newest action movie starring Liam’s favorite actor. “Wanna watch it?”
“Sure,” I said, settling into ice cream and a mindless movie.
I tried to concentrate on the plot and tried not to think about Brooke. An hour later, I checked my phone for messages. My heart leaped when I saw one from Brooke.
I love you.
I sighed and put my phone down. When the movie ended, I went down to swap my clothes to the dryer. When I came back up, Liam was sitting at the table.
“Okay, spill it. I can’t deal with you moping around. Tell me what happened.”
I sat down and started talking. I told him everything, and he shook his head or nodded at certain points. When I told him what Linda did, he sucked in a breath.
“Wow,” he said when I finished. “Wow.”
“That’s all you’ve got?”
Liam raised an eyebrow. “Don’t you think you were a little harsh? You aren’t, in fact, a real gigolo. As much as you tried to be.”
“I’m well aware.”
“Can’t you just avoid this Linda? Who cares if she thinks you’re a gigolo?”
“Brooke violated my trust. I thought we had something real. Something good. And she goes around telling people at work that she hired someone to go to events with her?”
“First of all, you don’t know if she told everyone.”
“Liam—”
“You don’t! Also, who keeps texting you?”
I slid my phone out of my pocket and looked at my messages.
Brooke.
Liam grabbed my phone out of my hand.
“Hey, asshole, give it back!”
“No way, I need to read these messages.” He cleared his throat, then read Brooke’s messages in a poor imitation of a woman’s voice. “Evan, please talk to me. I love you. I’m so sorry, please let me explain.”
I put my head in my hands.
“Wait a second. You two said, ‘I love you’?” Liam asked. “Hoo boy.”
“You wouldn’t understand,” I said.
“Oh, I understand. You think I’ve never said ‘I love you’ to a woman before?”
“I know you have.”
“Talk to her. Please. I can see how much you care about her. And I saw how she looked at you that night you brought her to the bar. She’s nuts for you.”
“I just need some more time.”
“Don’t take too much time. A woman like that won’t stay single for long.”
“A woman like that can get a guy with a better paying job who doesn’t mop up other people’s messes,” I said. “In fact, you’re the one who told me this would never work out, that we’re too different.”
“And you’re listening to my advice? Look around, do you see me with a girlfriend? No. Give her a chance. Find out why she ratted on you. If you don’t at least talk to her, you’re dumber than I thought.”
Twenty-One
I texted Brooke back later that night, asking her to please give me more time, and that I’d call her soon. She thanked me, then stopped texting.
I went through Monday at work like a zombie. I had to do some work on Brooke’s floor. I hurried through it, anxious to finish, but her door never opened. I wasn’t sure if she had moved back in yet.
Before the end of the day, I went over to Carly’s desk.
“Carly, have you seen Brooke Sinclair around today?”
“Brooke Sinclair. Oh yes—she just had new carpets installed. I don’t think she’s come back just yet. I haven’t seen her, but maybe I missed her.”
“Okay, thanks.”
I went back to the break room and packed up my stuff to leave. I said goodbye to Frank and went out to my truck. When I got inside the cab, I pulled out my phone and texted Brooke.
Can we meet soon? I just got out of work.
I waited an agonizing minute, then she texted back.
Yes. I have a showing at four-thirty near downtown. Meet me at the picnic table where we ate lunch at 5:30?
I agreed and said I’d see her then.
I had some time to kill, but I really didn’t want to go back to our apartment, which was in the opposite direction. I started my truck and drove toward downtown. I parked and decided to take a walk.
The sun was out, and the temperature had reached seventy. I lifted my face to the sun. Birds chirped in the trees, and flowers bloomed. I took the long way, walking down a couple of streets with houses I liked.
The big brick home on the corner with a wide front porch looked like a home Brooke would sell. The old stone house with green shutters that had a tangle of bushes and tall grass in the yard and looked neglected. And the next street over, the grey ranch with flower boxes at the windows and kids’ toys in the yard.
I slowed down when I saw a For Sale sign in the ranch’s front yard. No way. It was finally for sale! I stopped and looked at the windows, and the roof. It was probably built in the fifties, but it looked solid and well-kept. It had large windows that would make the interior sunny. I started walking again and peeked into the back yard. There was a swingset back there, and more plastic kids’ toys.
It looked like a great house for a family with kids. Maybe someday I’d have that. I took my phone out and snapped a picture of the agent’s number on the For Sale sign. Then I took a picture of the house.
When I got to the park, it was five-thirty. I walked around, looking for Brooke. A mom and two kids were sitting at our picnic table, but they got up and left after a few minutes.
I sat down at the table and waited.
God, I missed Brooke’s smile. I missed her touch. I missed falling asleep next to her. I missed eating dinner with her.
I didn’t have a plan about what to say. I had imaginary conversations with her, but everything sounded wrong.
Ten minutes passed. Where was she?
I was looking down at my feet when I heard heels clicking on the sidewalk. Brooke! I grinned and stood up immediately. She was rushing toward me in a navy blue suit and pearls. She had on giant sunglasses, and her dark hair blew in the wind.
“Evan, I’m so sorry I’m late! My showing took so long.”
I walked over to meet her, and we both stopped a few feet apart. My hands ached to touch her, to pull her into my arms and run my fingers through her soft hair. To make her come, while she cried out, digging her nails into my back.
“Hi,” I said. “You look nice.”
“Thank you. Should we sit down?”
“Sure.”
We sat side by sid
e on the bench, and she lifted her sunglasses on top of her head. She had makeup on, but it looked like she was trying to conceal dark circles under her eyes. I knew how she felt; I hadn’t gotten much sleep, either.
“Brooke, I just want to say again that I’m so sorry I made you flinch that day. I felt so awful about that.”
“I could tell.”
Silence fell, but I sat with it for a minute.
“I’d never hurt you. I saw what my mom went through and swore up and down I’d never be like my dad.”
She nodded.
“I never got into fights at school like the other boys. I just couldn’t stand fighting, even just shoving matches between kids in the schoolyard. Matty, too. He’s had problems with drugs, but he never got violent.”
There was so much I wanted to say, I didn’t know where to start.
“You can ask my roommate, my friends. The guys in the maintenance department. I don’t lose my temper like that. Well, except for when Matty left rehab. Mom and I drove around looking for him, and I threatened his friend and pushed him against the wall, but Matty wasn’t there.”
“I believe you. Julia also looked to see if you had an arrest record, remember?” She gave me a tiny smile. “By the way, I told Julia that you were a friend when I enlisted her to help me and assist you if you needed it. She didn’t question it.”
“Okay.”
“Linda, on the other hand. I can’t stand that woman. She’s always been out to get me.”
“Really? You hid it pretty well at the dinner and at the fundraiser.”
“I have to tolerate her, we’re a small office.”
“What happened? How did she find out?”
Brooke sighed. “It’s all my fault. Linda said she suspected you didn’t actually go to Cornell. Her sister works in the alumni office there.”
“Uh oh.”
“I totally forgot about that. I did look into going there, though. Anyway, her sister looked up your name on the list of alumni, and—”
“Oh, no.”
“She found your name, but it belonged to a man who graduated in sixty-eight. Obviously not you. Then she went into my office when I was at lunch. She snooped around and found a file on my desk. I had the results of your background search in there. This was after the dinner at Diane’s. She kept quiet for a few days. Then she cornered me in my office at the end of the day after everyone else had left. She told me she’d seen the file on you, and she asked me why I was looking up info about you.”