up. “Let me freshen up. Be back in a sec.” She squeezed my leg as she rose from the couch, went into the bathroom, and shut the door.
And I didn’t even have a moment alone before my phone rang, and I saw Duncan’s name on the screen. I did my best to suppress the smile seeing his name caused. After taking a look to make sure Gia was still in the bathroom, I threw on my coat and stepped out onto the tiny balcony that overlooked the street. My place wasn’t anything special, especially compared to Duncan’s palace, but I did love that little balcony and the view it provided.
“Hello?”
“Evening,” he said. “How are you?”
More happiness bubbled up inside of me. “I’m awesome, actually.”
“As much as I’d like to think it’s my call making you feel that way, I’m guessing it really has something to do with your interview.” He was being sardonic, but he wasn’t exactly right – I was thrilled that he’d called.
“It kinda-sorta does,” I said, still grinning ear-to-ear. “I got the job!”
“Are you serious?” he asked excitedly. “Congratulations!”
“Thank you, thank you,” I said. “I do my onboarding tomorrow, and right now I’m celebrating with my friend, Gia.”
“In that case, I won’t keep you. But I hope you’ll still have time for our evening tomorrow. It’s not just a date now, after all – it’s a celebration.”
“Definitely,” I said. Out of the corner of my eye through the glass door, I spotted Gia stepping out of the bathroom. “Anyway, we’re about to head out.”
“Of course,” he said, clearly not bothered. “I’ll see you tomorrow?”
“Can’t wait.”
“And congratulations.”
We said our goodbyes and hung up.
After so much struggle and bullshit, things finally seemed to be looking up. I had my own place, a great new job, and a guy who seemed like he was really something special.
I couldn’t wait for what was next.
Duncan
I was beyond thrilled about the evening ahead, but as I dressed myself and prepared for my date, I kept thinking about the future.
She’d have to find out eventually, right? No way I could keep something like that hidden. I had to play it smart, however. She’d meet Andrew soon, and I had to figure out exactly how it would go down. The longer I put it off, the more likely the situation would be out of my hands.
What if Andrew and Annie were to find out what was going on without me telling them? It’d be a disaster, simple as that. They’d both decide I was a liar, that I’d held something back from them they had a right to know. And hell, they’d be right.
So, I had to plan their meeting while it was still in my power to determine the specifics.
Three ties were laid out on the California King bed. I considered the three of them, trying to take my mind for a brief moment off my other decision. I went with the Hermes tie, red and blue stripes. Once that was in hand, I stepped in front of the mirror and began to tie it.
I could tell Andrew first. As soon as that option presented itself, however, I knew it wasn’t the correct course of action. Andrew was possessive and controlling, wanting things just so. He might’ve been the one to pull the trigger on their relationship, but that didn’t mean he’d be happy to find out I was dating his ex.
In his mind, when he’d ended things, he finished the relationship exactly like he’d wanted. It was done, filed away, never to be thought of again. But the more he talked about Annie, the more it seemed he was having second thoughts about what he’d done.
I was hopeful that I’d put him off of it the other night, but it was still niggling at the back of my brain.
If I were to tell him I was dating her, that I’d known I’d wanted to date her for quite some time, that might represent an element of chaos that he wouldn’t be prepared for.
It wouldn’t work. He’d freak out, maybe even cut me out of his life.
I finished the knot of my tie, pulling it straight over my dress shirt. Then I shook my head and sighed. But I would have to tell him. Andrew would have to be eased into it. And more importantly, Annie would have to be on my side when it happened.
I’d have to tell her first, I decided. I’d have to tell her about Andrew and me, and I’d