Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 85888 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 429(@200wpm)___ 344(@250wpm)___ 286(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85888 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 429(@200wpm)___ 344(@250wpm)___ 286(@300wpm)
“We did,” interrupted Lars. “Monday night.”
“Y-you did?”
“Yes.”
“Huh.”
His gaze softened, but his smile was pure amusement. “We’re no longer seeing each other. Amie’s free to date who she likes.”
“Right.” I swallowed hard. “In that case, first up, I would like to apologize for calling her a ho. That was out of line.”
He gazed down at the firm grip I had on his hand. Which I immediately gave up. “Is this what kept you up all night?” he asked. “Worrying about telling me this?”
“You could say that.”
“Sounds like you practiced that speech for a while.”
“Mmm.” I stared at the Kermit-splattered wall. “I’ve had male friends before, but not close ones. Not ones that might be my husband in a parallel universe. You know?”
“I know.”
“And I wasn’t sure how hard you’d take the news. I mean, I’ve seen female friends through breakups, but...anyway.”
“You think maybe paint fumes and lack of sleep has gotten to you?”
“That’s a distinct possibility.”
“C’mon,” he said, rising to his feet. “Let’s get you cleaned up and into bed. Mateo and I can get a fresh undercoat on this and have it ready for you to pick out a new color when you wake up this afternoon. Sound good?”
“Yes.” I took the hand he held out to me and let him pull me up. “Thank you.”
“No problem. You have some Kermit on your cheek. And on the side of your nose.” He grinned down at me. “Thank you for holding my man feelings in such high regard, Susie.”
“You’re welcome, Lars.”
Six
Our second attempt at socializing came that weekend. And given Aaron was busy, I was free to attend. The condo where Lars and Tore lived was an older four-story building close to Fremont at the top of Queen Anne. It had a heated outdoor pool available from May to September. What better way to celebrate summer?
Mateo and his partner, James, were there, along with Austin, a musician (very cool tattoos), who had gone to school with Tore. And their neighbors, Shu, an interior decorator who lived on the first floor, and Isaac, a nurse from the second floor.
“That’s the thing with bold colors like chartreuse,” said Shu, “a little can go a long way.”
I added my Caprese salad to the offerings already set out on the table. I decided this would be my contribution because the tomatoes and basil looked awesome and cheese was life. “I see the error of my ways now. The walls are going to be navy blue with a chartreuse sofa to add a pop of color.”
Isaac smiled. “I’m sure that’ll look great.”
Of course Lars had told everyone about the exploding-Kermit incident. At least he seemed to have kept his big mouth shut about my dramatic cheating speech. He gave me a wink and passed me a beer.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” he said before inspecting my face with much care.
“Fear not. I got the last of the green off during a deep cleanse last night.”
With a grin, he took a seat at the long wooden outdoor table. “Just checking.”
Mateo and James threw a ball around in the pool while Shu, Isaac, Lars, and I sat at the table and Austin hung out over by the BBQ with Tore. It was a perfect day and a pretty place. Asters, ferns, and ocean spray grew in the garden. A large umbrella shaded the table, but what the heck. You couldn’t go to a pool party and not get out in the sun and get wet. And why else would Baby Jesus have invented waterproof mascara if he hadn’t intended for us to get in the damn pool and enjoy ourselves?
Pool parties were fun for voyeurs young and old, but especially me. Because Lars’s chest was spectacular. Miles of muscles and golden tanned skin. Not that I dribbled or stared. But I did appreciate how his cargo shorts rode low on his hips when he’d stood up to offer me the beer. How evolved of me that I could ignore all of these lustful thoughts and just be friends with the man.
I leaned his way and lowered my voice. “Your bestie is definitely not coming?”
“Definitely not,” said Lars.
“Phew.” My whole body relaxed. “Does he even know I’m here?”
“Does it matter?”
A good question. And the honest answer was, I didn’t know.
Lars’s usual woodsy fresh scent was complemented with cologne today. There was a hint of sage and a dash of sandalwood, along with something more elusive. Something I couldn’t quite make out. Sticking my face in his neck to take a sniff would be too much. Swooning over Lars was the height of bad manners, because I knew it wasn’t what he wanted. Though at least he was single now. Which was still no excuse to crush on a friend.
“Lars has been telling me how great your place is,” said Shu. “It’s hard to find old houses with all of the original features.”