Page 10 of Pride & Precedents

"And that was it? He just gave you the silent treatment for the rest of the day?"

Rory downs the last of her amaretto sour and motions to the bartender for a refill. When Henry let me out before 6:00pm for the first time inliterally ever, I knew drinks with my sister were in order. She recommended we check out this dive bar in Brooklyn known for their strong drinks and Southern-themed cuisine. I swirl around the ice clumping at the bottom of my piña colada and try not to think about my nightmare commute back home later.Not everyone lives in Williamsburg now, Rory.

"Basically. I took dictation for a brief in the afternoon, but he was in his office with the door closed otherwise."

She rolls her eyes.

"With a stick that big up his ass, how does he even shit? Like, does he need to see a doctor once a month for relief, or…"

I snort, spilling some of my drink down my blouse. My kid sis certainly has a way with words.

"Oh my God, Rory! I didnotneed that image in my head."

Rory's smile turns wicked.

"What image? The image of your boss, bent over his $4,000 desk, his tie flung over his shoulders and his Hugo Boss slacks around his ankles, getting the rubber glove treatment from some brawny nurse named Bruno?"

I can't help it; I spit my drink down my blouse, half laughing-half coughing as I try to recover.

"Are you trying to kill me?" Rory just takes a sip of her drink, like her comment didn't just destroy me. "I'd actually pay good money to see that. I'd pay extra if they skipped the lube."

At that, my sister raises an eyebrow.What? He's my boss, but I'm not allowed to make fun of him?

"What, pray tell, would my older sister, Patron Saint of Workaholics and Granny Panty Fan Club President, know aboutlube?"

Oh, I see. I'm allowed to make fun of my boss, but, through some cosmic joke, my sister thinks I'm a prude. I haven't exactlyhad a ton of spare time. I hide my hurt at the jab by blotting my now damp shirt.

"Hey! I get out! I have Tinder and Bumble on my phone right now." My sister smirks, clearly not believing me. Ithasbeen a while… "And, in defense of granny panties, they are both comfortable and cheap for a girl on a budget."

"Ah yes. Affordability and comfort; the path to every man's heart."

I roll my eyes at my sister—she's sassier than Rosie Perez and Marisa Tomei combined—and stand up from our booth.

"Thanks to you, I've got about half a cup of ice sloshing around in my bra. I'll be right back. Order me another one when the waiter comes back?"

Her smile says she knows I'm dodging the topic of my sex life,—or lack thereof—but she just nods. I make my way through the crowded bar, edging between harried servers and tipsy hipsters on my way to the restroom. The crowd here is a little on the young side, mostly in their early 20s. At thirty, I feel a bit like an undercover cop from 21 Jump Street. Just when I'm almost past the overcrowded bar area, a group of women clearly out for a bachelorette party nearly knock me over.They're not going to run out of alcohol people! No need to push and shove.

I make myself as small as possible with curves like mine and continue to inch through the crowd. And that's when I see him…Or…Them? Sitting in the booth right next to the bathrooms is Henry, Jr. and another man who looks nearly identical, minus the glasses and with a way flashier suit. Am I being punked? I knew he had brothers, but a twin? Apparently I stare a little too hard and "Flashy Suit Henry" makes eye contact with me and smiles.Busted.

"Care to join us, beautiful?"

"Flashy Suit Henry"'s smile is warm and welcoming. My eyes dart to Henry; his hair is sticking out in several directions likehe's been raking his hands through it, his shirt and tie are loose,—twice in one day?!—and his eyes have a slight droop from a few too many cocktails. He doesn't seem bothered by his brother's invitation, or by my seeing him looking unkempt once again.

"Don't worry about Mr. Stuffy Pants here," he gestures to Henry, who lets out an ungentlemanly snort into his drink. "When he pointed you out, I knew I just had to meet the woman he spends practically every waking moment with."

I bite my lower lip and glance at my table. Rory is watching us closely.

"Uh…I don't want to impose…And I'm here with my sister."

"Bring her over, too," offers "Flashy Suit Henry". "I just landed a client and I need to celebrate. And you, of all people, know that Henry could use a few drinks." Another snort from Henry.

"Are you buying?"

"Flashy Suit Henry" looks at me like I'm crazy.

"Of course! We're not barbarians."

I press my lips together to hide a smile. Apparently, this twin got all the charm. I motion Rory to come over and turn towards the bathroom.

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