Ego Maniac(47)

Half an hour before lunch, I was surprised when Baldwin showed up at the office instead of meeting me at the restaurant as we’d planned.

“I thought we were meeting at Seventh Street Café?”

“I was in the neighborhood, so I thought I’d pick you up on the way.”

I told him to come into my office so I could grab my coat and power down my laptop. Drew had been on an all-morning conference call, and of course he finished up right at that moment. He walked into my office without knowing anyone was there.#p#分页标题#e#

“What are you in the mood for? I was thinking dirty-water dogs. Feel like taking a walk up to—” He stopped in place when he saw Baldwin. “Didn’t realize you had company.”

I caught the slight tick in his jaw. He definitely wasn’t fond of Baldwin.

Of course, Baldwin didn’t help the cause. He responded snidely, “Yes. We have a lunch date at a place where they don’t serve dirty food.”

Drew looked to me, and his eyes conveyed what he didn’t say out loud to Baldwin. Then he turned and went back to his office, offering only, “Enjoy your clean food,” over his shoulder as he walked away.

I’d almost made it out of the office when Baldwin stopped to read my daily quote.

He turned to me. “Your clients like this sort of thing?”

I was defensive. “Yes. I put the same daily quote up on my website where people connect and disconnect for video-counseling sessions. Leaving people with an inspirational quote and a suggestion for giving more to their relationship is a positive reinforcement to my sessions.”

“I guess that depends on what you’re suggesting.”

I was confused at what he didn’t like about it, because I’d actually gotten the idea for daily quotes from one of his TA sessions back in college. I couldn’t imagine why he seemed disturbed by my utilizing it.

As I walked out the door, I stopped to reread my quote.

Drew.

I was going to kill him.

He’d modified.

Again.

I’d written:



It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it.

Today, I’d like to say ___________________ to you, and show you I mean it.



He must have changed it while my door was closed. It now read:



It’s not what you do, it’s who you do it to.

Today, I’d like to do you. And I mean it.





Emerie



“I have a belated birthday present,” Baldwin said as we waited in the restaurant lobby for the hostess to finish seating the people ahead of us.

“You do?”

He smiled and nodded. “You have an interview for an adjunct position in two weeks. It’s only teaching one class, but it will get your foot in the door.”

“Oh my God, Baldwin!” Without thinking, I threw my arms around his neck and gave him a giant hug. “Thank you so much. That’s the—” I was about to say best gift I could have asked for this year, but then I remembered what Drew had given me and corrected myself. “That’s amazing. Thank you so much.”

The hostess came and sat us, and we spent the next hour chatting about work and the professor I’d be interviewing with. It was nice to catch up with Baldwin—I really did enjoy his company. I realized that over the last month, my frustration because of the feelings I had for him had begun to interfere with our friendship. It was time I moved past it and enjoyed what we had for what it was.

After we finished eating, the waiter cleared our lunch plates, and Baldwin ordered an espresso. He folded his hands on the table and moved the topic of conversation away from work.

“So you’re seeing the attorney you share space with?”

“No. That kiss you saw was the result of too many margaritas.”

Baldwin frowned, but nodded. “Well, that’s good. I’m not sure he’s the type of person you should be getting too involved with.”

“What does that mean?”

Yes, I was currently pissed off at Drew, and I planned to kick his ass when I returned to the office, but Baldwin wasn’t going to put him down when he didn’t even know him.#p#分页标题#e#

“He seems…I don’t know. Gauche.”

“He’s direct. Yes. And sometimes even a little crass. But he’s actually quite thoughtful once you get to know him.”

Baldwin studied my face. “Well, I’m glad there’s nothing between you. I’m protective of you. You know that.”

Funny, in the little time I’d known Drew, I actually felt like he was the one who was protective of me.





Drew’s door was closed when I returned to the office. I listened to make sure he wasn’t on a call and then flung it wide open.