“Thanks for everything, Hayden.”
I’m not quite sure what he’s thanking me for, but I don’t turn around to ask. I hold my hand up in a motionless wave and say, “No problem.”
My heart is still racing as I enter my second-story loft. I walk to the window and notice that the Uber is pulling up. He turns and looks up at my window. I’m embarrassed I’m watching him, but I can’t look away. He smiles before getting in the car, and then he’s gone. I drop to my knees. I’m boneless. I’m also screwed if Caroline is going to stay my client. I don’t know if I can control myself around that man.
Chapter 6
The next day, I meet Diana for Sunday brunch. We meet at Canoe, an old Atlanta staple that sits on the bank of the Chattahoochee. I can’t get over the scenery and Diana won’t get off her phone.
I have no idea who she’s talking to, but she’s not saying much—she’s just giving curt responses. I flag down the server and order their largest Bloody Mary. Diana holds her fingers up and mouths, “Make that two,” to the waiter.
The moment she hits End on the phone, her face breaks into a massive smile. She doesn’t say anything so I break the strange silence. “This place is gorgeous. It’s magical.”
“It’s terrible out here during the summer, though. The bugs and humidity.”
“But it’s beautiful and green now. I can’t believe I’ve never been here.”
Our Bloody Marys arrive, and then we order our brunch dishes. Diana takes a long sip before finally saying, “Well, Hayden, my dear. You seem to have hit it out of the park twice this weekend.”
“How do you mean?”
“My date on Friday is practically talking about marriage. He said I was the sexiest woman he’s ever been out with. I owe you for picking out that outfit. The date was exactly what I needed,” she wiggles her eyebrows. “If you know what I mean?”
Yes, I did know exactly what she meant. Unfortunately, I had been face to face with several reminders of my nonexistent love life lately, which included, of course, the very thing I also needed but wasn’t getting.
“That’s wonderful, Diana, I’m very happy for you. And thank you for your generosity with Caroline. Our shopping lessons really did give her a little boost of confidence, not to mention a few very cool threads.”
“That’s the other thing I was going to tell you. I was just on the phone with Caroline and she had nothing but wonderful things to say about you. She said she felt more like herself than she has in a really long time.”
“God, that totally makes my day, Diana. I was really hesitant at first with Caroline because she seemed so meek. I didn’t know if I was going to make her cry with anything I said.”
“Oh, dear, that’s an act. Caroline gets what she wants. She just doesn’t know how to dress.”
“Right,” I say, not quite believing her. “Well, I’m helping her with that.” I pause. “How do you mean she gets what she wants?”
“With her timid little act. She has that poor boy Blake wrapped around her little finger.”
I think back to last night. Blake did seem a bit servile toward her. But the whole time, in the back of my mind, I did wonder if he wasn’t doing it all to cash in one day on the Crompton fortune.
“Hmm, I guess maybe he finds it easier to appease her,” I say.
“Obviously he finds it easier to appease her.”
“But why do you think they’re still together if the relationship is so one-sided? Is it because he’ll lose his job?”
“No, my brother wouldn’t fire him on account of Blake and Caroline’s relationship going sour,” Diana says. She sighs. “I think Blake loves Caroline, but I think it’s the kind of love you get stuck in. And I feel the same way about Caroline. It’s easy because they’ve been together for so long. When I say it’s easy, I mean, it’s easier to stay together when it’s comfortable. And Blake doesn’t have any family left. Maybe he feels he owes her something.”
“I see.”
“I mean, I don’t even think they sleep together anymore. Everyone knows they’re over but them. But I bet they’ll stay together, until one realizes they’re both just going through the motions. Or unless one finds true love somewhere else.” She raises her eyebrows and winks. Even with the short amount of time I spent with Caroline and Blake, I could sense exactly what Diana is talking about.
I try to change the subject. “When are you going out with your date from Friday again?”
She smiles. “Why would I do that? I never see the same movie twice, Hayden. What’s the fun in that?”
I laugh. I love how unapologetically bold Diana is.
“You know, the more I think about Blake and Caroline,” Diana says, “the more I realize how ill-matched they are. They might like the same music, but he’d match better with someone more effervescent, artistic, and free. And Caroline would match well with someone like her dad, a man who’s tethered to the ground. Blake is far from that.”
“Well, I don’t hope they break up, but if they’d both be happier—”
“See, I think you’re actually more his type.”
“I wouldn’t dare—”
“Oh, honey, I’m not suggesting that you do anything to sabotage their relationship. I’m just simply saying it’s your personality type that Blake really connects with. That’s why he was so close to his mom. You remind me of her. Your quirkiness.”
Is that a compliment? The food arrives. I forgot we had even ordered.
My phone buzzes. I look down and it’s a text from an unknown number. There’s a picture attached.
Hey, it’s Blake. C gave me your number and I wanted to share this with you. I was just messing around. I guess Frankie is my new muse.
It was a photo he had taken of my car, but he had superimposed it onto a painting of a highway and added a semi-truck bouncing into her. He had even painted a funny little scared face onto her.
I laugh out loud and Diana looks at me strangely.
“Someone sexting you?” she says, smiling.
I want to tell her the truth, but I don’t. “Oh, no. Just my goofball friend.”
Is that how I was already thinking of Blake? My friend? The thought of him sexting me makes the whole rest of my brunch with Diana extremely uncomfortable.
When I get home, I text him back.
Me: I love it. Frankie’s personality really comes out. You are very talented.
Blake: Thank you. You are, too.
I don’t respond. Instead, I plop face-first on my bed and groan. This is not going to be easy.
Chapter 7
I wake the next morning, resolute. I’m going to throw myself into the Caroline Crompton project, and ignore the fact that I am deeply attracted to her boyfriend. Caroline and I have formed a friendship in the short time we’ve spent together. She’s confided in me, and I want to nurture that. I also feel like she might be my most important client yet. Not just what I can do for her wardrobe, but also her self-esteem. This is what I’m here for. It’s why I quit school and it’s what I enjoy the most.
Love life, be gone! Hormones, relax, you’re still young.
When I dial Caroline’s number, she answers on the first ring. “Hi,” she whispers. “I’m actually at work right now, about to go into a meeting with the board. Are you available to grab lunch?”
“Yes!” I say with excitement. “I can come down to your area. There’s a great boutique next to that falafel place on J Street. Have you been there?”
“Falafel?”
“Yeah?”
“No. I don’t even know what that is, but I’ll give it a try. I have to go. Let’s meet there around noon. Sound good?”
“Absolutely.” There is already more confidence in her voice.
When I arrive at Mann’s Falafel, Caroline is waiting at the counter. She’s very punctual. I can tell she’s scanning the menu with curiosity, or maybe it’s skepticism. I walk over and stand next to her. “Hi,” I say.
She smiles and then reaches out immediatel
y for a hug. “Hi, it’s good to see you.”
“Well, what do you think?”
“I don’t recognize anything I like on this menu.”
“Falafel is delicious and it’s vegetarian, so it sort of cancels out that heart attack burger we had the other night.”
“You’ve sold me.”
We order our food and sit down. I notice she’s wearing black slacks, but she’s paired them with a navy blouse that has a plunging neckline—a blouse that we’d bought together. It’s so low-cut that I can see her lacy bralette underneath.
“I love that blouse on you. Very daring for work. I’m proud of you.”
“My father about keeled over. He made me button a blazer over it.”
“Oh, well, at least you tried. Did Blake say anything about it?”
She laughed. “Yeah, he said it was sexy. That he was too turned on to work. He tried to get me to meet him in the storage closet. He’s losing his mind.” She sighs and shakes her head.
I feel a sharp pang of jealousy. Didn’t Diana mention that she thought Caroline and Blake don’t sleep together anymore? And I certainly didn’t see any sort of romantic sizzle between them on our dinner date. What’s changed? Why is Blake suddenly attracted to Caroline again? It can’t just be the blouse. I know it’s not my place to wonder, but I can’t help it. On the other hand, I can’t understand why Caroline wouldn’t be flattered by her own boyfriend hitting on her. It suddenly occurs to me that maybe, despite what Diana had said, Blake is still trying to save a relationship he knows is crumbling, and Caroline is the one who has given up.
“Why didn’t you?” I say through a mouthful of hummus and pita.
She rolled her eyes. “Are you kidding? That’s the last thing I have time for.”
Ouch. Maybe Caroline’s so used to pushing Blake around and still having him chase after her that she doesn’t even try to temper her attitude or highbrow tendencies around him anymore. It seems like their relationship is taking a toll on who they really are.
I shouldn’t be feeling jealous anyway. But I can’t help it. Here’s my chance, though I promised myself I wouldn’t ask this specific question. “Are you in love with Blake?”
“Of course,” she says immediately. “He’s my boyfriend. Why would you even ask that?”
I offended her. Time to backpedal. “No, I just…” Think, Hayden, think. “I’m, I’m so inexperienced in that department.” Now I’m lying. “And you guys have been together for, what—”
“Ten years.” She’s looking at me pointedly. I’ve never seen her this irked before. She’s normally so timid.
“Yeah, ten years. And—”
“And what?”
“Oh, I just mean, have you thought about marriage or kids or anything?”
She smiles piteously. “I’ve thought about career. That’s what Blake should be thinking about, too. I mean, you understand. You’re making a name for yourself, Hayden. Not fixating on boyfriends.”
I laugh. “But you have a boyfriend and I don’t.”
“It’s complicated with Blake. It’s terrible to say, but I feel like we’ve become more like brother and sister.” There it is. Exactly what I thought. She continues, “I do love him. I know he’ll be right for me.”
It’s as though Caroline has Blake on hold. Blowing him off for now, but still trying to keep him around for later.
“Well, I think you can have it all. You kind of do. What’s his take on it?”
“He’d marry me right now.”
Holy cow. I try to picture it for a second, but I just cannot see the two of them married (and, okay, it’s not because he’s absolutely my type). They’re not right for each other. Maybe he’s into her for the money, and she likes that she has that level of control over him. After all, she is her father’s daughter. But, despite everything, I don’t think Caroline has a vicious or manipulative side. I’m a good enough judge of character. I think she’s just been a bit spoiled, and used to getting what she wants.
“Well, I think it’s sweet that he would marry you whenever you’re ready,” I say.
“Sweet? If Blake had it his way, we’d be living in a tiny loft in Decatur…” She catches herself and her eyes get wide. Is she imagining what it would be like? And what if Blake’s vision for their future isn’t at all what she wants?
There’s a small lull in our conversation, so I push onward. “Why is Blake working at your father’s company if his real passion is art?”
“Because I basically told him he had to. At least until we get established. It’s the right thing to do.”
I believe Caroline thinks that’s true. It reminds me of Joshua and how he was so fixated on his future. He couldn’t ever be in the present with me. He threw away our relationship because he couldn’t envision himself with a girl who didn’t have a college degree. I think Caroline is somewhat like Joshua. She can’t envision himself with someone who won’t have a successful future—or, at least, one that isn’t guaranteed to be successful. I don’t think Caroline can help it, though. Not when her father is putting so much pressure on her.
I throw our lunch containers into the garbage and say, “Ready to hit that shop I told you about?”
Caroline looks at her watch. “I only have about twenty minutes, but yeah, I’d love to.”
Shopping always lightens the mood.
Once we’re in the boutique Caroline says, “Wow, they have everything in here. Even men’s stuff.”
“Yeah, ha, you can even get Blake a present if you want.”
“For what?”
“A just because present.” Has she really never gotten him anything that wasn’t for a birthday or holiday? If I had a boyfriend, I’d smother him with cards and little trinkets and crafts I’ve made for him.
“You are so thoughtful, Hayden. Maybe I will.” She glances around at the mannequin displays, and a rack of women’s dress pants catches her interest.
Ugh, not the boring office clothes again! “How about over here?” I ask, pointing to the dress section.
She stares for a few seconds and then follows me. “You’re the expert.” I see we’re still a work in progress.
“Well, I’m sure you have a healthy supply of pants for work. I can show you how to make a dress like this more work appropriate. And then you could wear it out and at work.”
“This dress? But this is essentially a sundress.” She’s skeptical.
“Tights, a scarf…” I start grabbing nearby items that work well together stylistically. “Stylish blazer and some booties. Now you have an anywhere outfit.”
She laughs. “You are good at this, but let me try it on first.”
I wait just outside the dressing room. Caroline’s in the midst of changing her clothes when I hear her laughing suddenly. “What’s so funny?” I say.
“I just love the outfit. It’s so much edgier than I would normally wear. Very hip.”
“You like edgy, remember? You even asked for an application at a record store.”
“I guess I do like edgy,” she acquiesces.
Near the cash register Caroline spots a rack with men’s ties on it. While she sifts through it, I walk over to the jewelry case and notice they carry custom belt buckles. Almost instantly my eye is drawn to a vintage buckle that has wings and the word TRIUMPH splashed across it.
“’Scuse me,” I say to the clerk. “Can I see the Triumph buckle?” She hands it to me and I show it to Caroline. “Look what I found.”
She looks confused. “What’s that for?”
“For Blake, ’cause he has a Triumph motorcycle.”
“Oh, yeah.” She’s staring at it in contemplation. I wonder if she’s thinking about how much she hates his motorcycle, or if she doesn’t quite know what to do with a loose belt buckle.
“I actually make leather belts,” I say. “I tool designs in them and stain them myself. I could give you one, if you want. You could put this buckle on it and give it to Blake as a just because gift.”
“You’d do that?”
“Sure I would,” I say.
“That’s so sweet of you.”
“I have them at my house. We could go grab one right now.”
“Thank you, Hayden, but I don’t really have time now,” she says as she’s piling her stack of clothes on the counter to check out.
“How about if I take this and grab the belt from my apartment and bring it to your office?” I don’t know why I am offering to do this. Maybe I just want him to have something I made especially for him, even if he doesn’t know it’s from me. God, I’m such a sucker.
She takes the buckle from my hands and puts it on the counter, as well. “Okay, that sounds good. You can text me when you get to my father’s company and I’ll send someone out to get it from you.”
“Oh…okay.” I’m surprised she doesn’t want to step out just for a moment to say thank you, but I guess she really does work nonstop.
As I’m driving home, Caroline texts me the address to the office. Inside my loft I sift through a box of belts I’ve made over the years. It was a skill my mother taught me when I was a kid; how to wet the leather and then pound metal tools in it to make designs. I found the nicest belt I’d ever made. It was dark brown, and I’d used a finish that made it look distressed.
The only problem is that I made the designs surrounding the buckle in the shape of my eyes, and I had tooled the words “my eyes” on the back side. At the time, I thought I would give it to my future boyfriend and say, “I’ve got my eyes on you.” I laugh to myself, thinking how deeply uncool I am for making gifts for nonexistent boyfriends. What a romantic sap!
Anyway, I will probably be single forever, as long as I’m running around doing chores for the Cromptons. At least I’m getting paid, and at least someone will get some use out of the belt.
I attach the buckle and pack the belt up in a small brown bag, tying a red ribbon around the handles.
When I get to the parking lot, which is completely shadowed by the massive Crompton Industries building, I text Caroline.
She responds almost immediately, letting me know she’s sent someone down. Frankie sticks out like a sore thumb, but I decide to wait by the entrance anyway.