I stop mid-bite, wiping my mouth, curious to how he knows about the house since I haven’t mentioned it to anyone besides Sandy.
“The house? How do you know about the house?”
“Haden showed me the link since you forgot to mention this ginormous change in your life like I’m not your work husband.”
I’m slightly annoyed Clint has been talking to Haden about this behind my back, and equally annoyed at Haden as well. What does Clint expect? Between signing the contract for the new house, getting our house ready to go on the market, plus Sandy’s visit, I am beyond stretched for time and energy to do anything else.
The world does not revolve around him. Everyone wants something from me, and if it doesn’t happen, it’s always my fault.
“Sounds like you have a thing for Haden, Clint.” Sandy smirks, watching me closely.
“Of course, I have a thing for Haden.” He throws his hands in the air in an overly dramatic fashion. “Presley knows it, the whole office knows it. Dang, even Haden knows it. I mean, have you seen the guy? Presley has one lucky hoo-ha.”
Sandy purses her lips. “I have seen him. Attractive, I agree. I just don’t, let’s say, swing that way of late.”
Clint folds his arms, raising his brow with curiosity until his eyes spring wide open. “Holy shit! My gaydar did not see that.”
“I’ve warned you many times you’ve been wrong,” I scold him.
“So, spill the juice.” Clint rubs his hands the same time I quietly shake my head warning her not to answer. “Girlfriend back home, dating, when did you realize you were gay?”
Sandy retreats back into her chair taking in Clint’s desperate need to learn about her personal life. On Fridays, we dress casually in the office, though her crimson buttoned blouse paired with dark blue jeans still looks classy. I really admire her sense of fashion. She is a very beautiful woman.
“I was dating, but we parted ways, so for now I am single.” She rubs the side of her neck before pouring more water into her glass. “As for my sexuality, I see myself as pan-sexual. I have dated guys, slept with them, but the past few years I have found myself connecting more with women.”
Haden and Lex have mentioned over dinner Sandy’s sexuality. However, I didn’t want to pry. In college, she dated guys, plenty of them. In fact, she was notorious for sleeping around with other people’s boyfriends which landed her in hot water more than she probably would ever admit. I figure if she wants to discuss this, it should be her doing, not mine.
When it comes to Clint, though, it’s always his doing.
“And what about you two, how did you meet?”
I look at Sandy, both of us breaking into laughter.
“Last year of college, we met at the library over a book we both wanted to borrow,” I tell him, remembering the day so clearly. “Sandy stalked me because I didn’t return the book.”
“Uh-huh… I need
ed the book to help me with an assignment, and we just hit it off.”
“But then we graduated and… I don’t know, what happened?”
Sandy’s eyes drop toward her fork, then slowly, return my way with a smile. “I think we both just freaked out. I mean, you had your boyfriend, Kyle, and yeah, I’m not sure.”
“What a jerk he turned out to be,” I complain, still irked over the whole debacle. “You know, he never showed up at the station? We were supposed to take that train to New York together.”
“I had no idea.” Sandy shrugs her shoulders, keeping her smile at bay. “Things happen for a reason. Plus, he didn’t deserve you. You’re beautiful, and he had no idea how to treat you.”
Clint quickly interrupts, “Yeah, and look at you now. You’ve got the whole package, girl, and a man who worships the ground you walk on.”
“I wouldn’t call it the whole package,” I reply, far from feeling so-called perfect. “We should get back… I’ve got a lot I want to do before the end of the day.”
Back at the office, Sandy has a meeting with Phil giving me some time to finish up an important email that needs to go out before the day ends.
I fall back into my seat, taking a deep breath. The last few weeks have flown by in a giant blur with nonstop work and the stress of preparing our house to be sold.
Gemma agreed to take Masen tonight so I can tidy the house ready for tomorrow’s first showing. Haden is of no help, still traveling and due back some time this evening. I’m surprised I haven’t heard from him today, but according to Clint, Haden had back-to-back meetings all day with no time to stop. Always nice to hear these types of things from someone other than your significant other.
With slight annoyance, I grab my phone to text him, only to see two text messages from Charlie plus a missed call. Letting out a sigh, I force myself to read them. They are short, just asking me how I am and if she can drop by. We were supposed to catch up for coffee last weekend, but I wasn’t feeling up to it, making some excuse about Masen. I felt slightly guilty afterward, but I only lied because I didn’t want to talk about the miscarriage. Charlie felt it’s paramount to discuss my grief, given she had gone through the same many years ago.