Page 75 of The Holy Grail
“He’s probably responding to having a real mother for the first time in his life, too.”
David held up his glass in a mock salute to Evan’s comment. “That, too,” he agreed with a big smile. Then, changing the subject, he said, “So, I heard Jules is working for you on the weekends. Doing bookkeeping or something like that?”
“Yeah. She started back in January. She’s going through our books to find ways to cut costs and increase profits.”
“How did that come about?”
“She was here one night and we got talking about … stuff. Anyway, she was convinced something wasn’t right, based on my answers, and she offered to look into the numbers.”
“Is she finding anything?”
“I don’t know. We agreed she would present everything at the meeting with Everett and Evelyn, which should be pretty soon.”
“How’s that going? Working with her, I mean.”
“It’s fine.”
David knew his friend well enough to know when he was being evasive. “I’m not sure I believe you.”
“It’s fine,” Evan repeated, this time trying to sound more convincing. “I mean, it would be better if she wasn’t seeing someone, but … it’s whatever. It’s fine.”
“So, you know she’s seeing someone?” It came out as more of a statement than a question.
Evan nodded. “She told me. Right before I was going to make a move on her.”
“Oh, really? That’s awkward.”
“Yeah, it was pretty awkward and sucked balls. I’ve been kicking myself in the ass ever since that night for waiting so long and missing my window of opportunity. Especially after she admitted there was something between us.”
“Shit, man, I’m sorry.”
“It is what it is.”
There was a long moment of silence, and then David said slowly, “So, we had him over for dinner the other night. The guy she’s seeing.”
“You did?”
It was David’s turn to nod. “It was Paige’s idea.”
“How did it go? Actually, you know what? I don’t want to know.”
“Okay.”
“Fuck, no Idowant to know.” Evan plastered on his best neutral expression and dove in, head first. “So, what’s he like?”
David gave him a long look before answering. “He’s a nice guy.”
“That’s it? He’s a nice guy? You know, you’re not going to upset me by telling me he’s really good looking or anything like that.”
“Okay, well, he actuallyisreally good looking—”
“Fuck, I knew it.”
“See? Now, you’re upset.”
“No. I just knew he wasn’t going to be ugly. He’s probably successful, too, with a great job, right?”
“He’s a lawyer.”
