Page 36 of D.I.E.T. (Did I Eat That?)

I unbuttoned my coat, draping it and my purse on the back of my seat. “My passport came today. I’m Chile bound.”

“That’s great, Geet. Really great,” he said abruptly. Though I didn’t think it was great to him because he didn’t even look at me, opting to keep his eyes glued to a new text that had popped up.

“I’m going to star in a Gilbert and Sullivan revival on Broadway,” I said to see if he’d notice and no. He so didn’t.

“Very cool,” he said instead, clicking away on his phone. I wasn’t stupid enough to think I was the center of his world or anything, buthe’dinvited me to lunch.

“I took a job as a naked pole dancer for extra money,” I tried next.

“That’s grea—what?” he asked, finally looking at me.

“I figured since I’m the only one in this conversation, I might as well make it interesting.”

“Geet.”

“No. I get you’re an important man and I’m just a massage therapist, but I’m a massage therapist you invited to lunch. If this isn’t a good time for you, then just tell me. I’ll get takeout and head over to Lu’s or something.”

“I’m sorry.” He tucked the phone in his coat pocket after silencing it. “That was rude of me. How has your day been?”

“Clearly not as exciting as yours. Listen, Sin, I can’t help think I’m keeping you from something more important.”

“You’re not.”

“I am. We’ve been spending a lot of time together, and that’s time you haven’t been able to put to this merger. I think I should go and let you to it.” Then I stood to gather my things. Sinjin stood lightning quick, stepping into my space. He gripped my cheeks and bent in to kiss me.

When he pulled back, he said, “Sit, Geet. Let’s eat. I’m sorry, baby.”

I sat back down and not two seconds later the waitress showed up to take my drink order. Sparkling water with lime today. He ordered the orange chicken again. I ordered the steamed chicken and broccoli, no sauce.

“Did you say your passport came?” he asked—and what do you know, he’d listened to something I said.

“Yes. That was the last of it. Hotel is booked. Flight is booked. I have my dress-jumpsuit thingy. I can’t believe the wedding is almost here. My first time out of the country is to the southernmost tip of Chile.”

“A little time off will be nice, for sure. Though, depending on how the final stages of the merger goes, I might have to leave a little early. You’ll be okay flying back with Dion and Henri if that happens, right?”

“Yeah, of course. Listen, Sinjin, this merger is important. If the wedding doesn’t—”

“Don’t, Geet.” His face pinched in a very unattractive, scolding manner. “I’m coming to the wedding. I’m just saying if the internet connection isn’t great, then I might have to leave a little early. That’s it.”

“Okay, unclench those butt cheeks there, babe. I’m just trying to be a supportive girlfriend here.”

The food came after a while, but the conversation remained stilted. Sinjin just wasn’t into it. At the end of the meal, he kissed me on the cheek again and we went our separate ways. While he walked to his truck, he pulled his phone out of his coat pocket and immediately began firing off texts.

I went back to his place and found space for my plants, then I cleaned, even though he had a service come in to clean once a week. I needed something to do. Later that day, I made us a nice pot roast with onions, carrots, and new potatoes. He never came home to eat it, so I ate alone, cleaned up the mess, and eventually went to bed. I woke up briefly when he finally made it home. He slid into his side, not touching me. Not even a cheek kiss.

This went on for the rest of the week. He worked late every night. I tried being nice and bringing him my homemade enchilada verde one night—they weren’t even bootcamp-approved but because he’d been putting in so much time at the office, he needed flavor before healthy.

I was met by his secretary, who told me they’d already ordered in dinner. The woman worked a black pencil skirt and a white blouse with short poufy sleeves. Her hair was pink with blonde eyebrows, but the updo she wore helped the look say ‘stylish and sophisticated’ rather than ‘hip and emo.’ And she had no idea who I even was. Not surprising as it was my first time to his office, though he’d clearly never described me toher. So I took the enchiladas over to Lu’s place and ate with her.

Something had to give. This merger had been in the works well before I’d ever come along. We actually made it to the last Monday of bootcamp. I made Sinjin a protein smoothie while he showered and I left him a note saying I’d see him there. That seemed to be the extent of our conversation any more. Notes.

While I drove, I cried.

Twelve:

I already stood on the scale with several campers behind me when Sinjin walked in wearing his Mr. Surly face and got into line. Final weigh-in: down thirty-seven pounds. Trevor used the tape measurer to take my final measurements and I’d dropped so many inches from my hip and tummy area especially, that wearing a two piece to the beach this summer might actually happen.

“Great job, Geet.” Trevor applauded me, and I had to admit to the puff in my chest. “What’s next for you?” he asked.

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