“You know what I mean. You’ve never been the gold-digging kind.”
“I’m not digging for gold.” I snapped. “These guys approached me. It isn’t like I get dressed in c.f.m. heels and head out to the pro basketball games to snag me a NBA player.”
“No. That came out wrong. I’m sorry. I just meant that you are a fair fighter. You don’t manipulate. That’s all I meant.”
I believed her. The truth was even if both Joshua and Marty were regular working stiffs like me, I’d still continue dating both of them. I liked both of them. Joshua was wild like a storm at sea. Marty, he was like autumn. That was the best way I could describe him, subtle, comfortable and quietly beautiful. Both of them brought out different feelings and idea and qualities in me.
Plus, I’m not going to lie. I was experiencing things I never had before. With Joshua it was big bashes with flashing cameras and elegant gowns and people who looked at me with pea-green jealousy.
But with Marty it was quiet nights in front of the fire, long talks at the office about our hopes and fears and fantasies.
“It’s the best of both worlds right now, Diamond. I don’t see why I should choose just yet. Not yet.”
“Hey,” She said, wiping her mouth with a paper napkin. “Far be it from me to criticize.”
I looked at Diamond for a second.
“There is something else going on in that pretty brunette head of yours. Spill it.”
“I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Yes you do. Di, if you don’t come clean I’ll cry.” I said. I was only joking but I could tell by Diamond’s expression that something heavy was weighing her down.
Whatever it was that she was holding back wanted to come out. But she was more stubborn than a mule from South Carolina.
“The truth is, I just don’t want to see you get hurt. Guys with that kind of money sometimes think they are above the rules. Just make sure you hold them to it. Make sure they still open the door for you and don’t swap stories and all that stuff that gentlemen are supposed to do.”
“Are there still gentleman out there?” I asked, hoping to lighten Diamond’s mood a little.
“Of course there are. There are tons of them. They might just be short order cooks at the neighborhood diner instead of multi-billionaires.” As Diamond said those words I saw her eyes suddenly dart to the guy who had just taken over for the cook who had prepared our burgers.
He was a tall glass of water with broad shoulders and muscular arms. And when he turned around to look at Diamond he caught us both checking him ou
t. With a perfect smile he winked.
“And you’ve been scoping him out the whole time I’ve been spilling my guts to you?” I whispered, pretending to be mad.
“How could that be? He just got here.” Diamond said, blushing and smiling back.
“Well, I think we’ve had enough talk about men, don’t you?” Diamond nodded and took one last sip of her water. Reaching for her purse I stopped her.
“This is on me.” I said.
“I can leave the tip.” She offered to which I shook my head.
“Please, let me do it. Consider it payback for when you saved my life.”
“I saved her life, you know.” Diamond said loudly to the cook who was watching us get up to leave.
“Well, you’re a good friend.” He said back, his smile bright and wide, crinkling his eyes in the corners.
“Aren’t I though? And so this meal was her way of thanking me.”
He leaned over the counter motioning for Diamond to come a little closer.
“Does she hate you?” he said still grinning.
Diamond started to laugh and so did I.