Page 90 of Pride and Protest
But it didn’t look like that moment was ever coming, and Liza had to come to the slow realization that her friend was happy with her choice. Perhaps the least she could do would be to be happy that her friend was happy.
Joseph Park came over at lunchtime with bags of groceries. He went over everything in his bags with Liza and Chicho and shared his butter chicken recipe as he made it. The entire time he cooked, he also chatted and flirted with every woman in the house, making Chicho blush and threaten him with her flip-flop. Liza watched the door, thinking that Dorsey would stop by, text, or call.
Park caught her eye and casually mentioned that Dorsey hadmeetings all day until the evening and would probably catch up with them separately. That was the last time Liza looked at the door. She settled into Park’s friendliness.
When Chicho left to take a conference call, Park sidled up next to Liza. “So explain something to me.” Park put fresh coriander and garam masala back into his bags.
“Sure.”
“Last night, my friend was pacing and smoking like a maniac in his loft withyourtiny little shirt on. He’ll need surgery to get that shirt off!” Liza laughed.
“Seems like things got wild on your ride home, so I feel like I don’t even need to tell you that Dorsey is really one of the nicest guys that I know,” Park said.
“Wow, I’m getting the ‘don’t eff with my friend’ speech,” Liza said. Should she ask Park about Jennifer? About whether he had given her the same speech? Did men like this even see her in the same way as they saw a person like Jennifer?
“Well, yes, he’s serious about everything. And if you’re not...” Park let himself trail off. “I’m just telling you he’s a fantastic guy. He just recently stopped a friend from making the worst mistake of his life.”
“Oh really?” Gossip? Liza was all in. She didn’t care if she knew the parties or not.
“Yes, really. His friend was dating a complete ice queen. He says that the girl’s family was really embarrassing. And the girl was this beauty queen, but she didn’t really seem that into him except for his money. But this guy was head over heels for this girl, like about to go down on one knee. No prenup, no discussion, just like that.” If Park noticed Liza’s face fall, he said nothing. “My boy Dorsey was like, ‘Oh hell no.’ ”
“Was he?” Liza’s grip tightened on the plate. She knew it wasJanae like she knew her own last name. Dorsey had plotted to separate her sister and David while dating Jennifer. It was exactly what men like him thought of women like Liza and Janae—fuck, don’t marry.
“Liza, you okay? Did you eat too much butter chicken? Anyway, he told his friend to get a grip and recognize when he’s being played. I cannot stress to you how trash this woman’s family was. The stories I heard, Liza.” Park took the cup Liza was holding and placed it in Chicho’s sink. “He probably saved that young man’s life. That’s the kind of dude Dorsey is.”
“That is exactly the kind of man he is.” Liza’s tone had a sharpness to it.
Park checked his phone. “Dorsey and I keep missing each other. I gotta head out, but he’s headed here.” Park squeezed her shoulders and smiled.
Liza got up to put her plate away. She dropped it in the sink with apparently too much force and the delicate plate smashed to pieces all over the sink and countertop.
“Colin and I are going to a benefit dinner. Do you want to come?”
“After all of this butter chicken? I’m going to burst,” Liza quipped. “I’m just gonna sit here and nurse my food baby instead.” What she was really nursing was a simmering anger at Dorsey’s nerve that only expanded for the rest of the day.
It was nearly two hours later when she heard a tentative knock at the door. She opened it to find Dorsey filling up the doorway with a confused look and a lopsided grin. He had dark circles under his eyes and his hand shook with a tiny cup of espresso.Did he even sleep last night?
“Oh my god, Liza.” Dorsey tumbled past the threshold. “Every waking thought of mine has been from last night. I see you in everything that I do. I feel you.”
“Dorsey...”
“I know. It’s completely insane, right? Everything in me says to leave you alone. Your family is well... They would always draw negative attention.” Dorsey laughed out loud, manic with his own confession.
All he needed was a corkboard with red yarn and thumbtacks. Was he trying to explain a conspiracy theory or tell her he loved her?
“Everything about you and me does not work on paper. You know what it’s like? It’s like one of those bad reality TV shows you swear you will not watch and then you’re so hooked and you actually love it. I... I actually love you.” Dorsey seemed to marvel at the words coming out of his mouth. He looked like he hadn’t slept in days. She smelled strong coffee and cigarette smoke on his breath.
“Dorsey, I—” Liza started.
“You brought me to my knees last night, Liza. And I want to wake up with you in my arms.” His voice rumbled over her, and she hated herself for the effect it had.
“Dorsey. What we have is great for a night at Hotel Washington, but what about the light? What about at big corporate events when I drink the wrong wine, or family reunions where you don’t Electric Slide? Those little things build. I’m not from your world—”
“I know, but I can make you a part of it. I could get you an apartment, some place hidden away, but tasteful. Maybe something in Georgetown.”
“And would you still live in Philly, while I’m in Georgetown?” Liza folded her arms.
“Of course, Philadelphia is my home. But I want to give you some peace, Liza.” Dorsey paced. “Like you mentioned your relationship was fraught with your mother. Maybe we could minimize our interactions? I can see how it can be too much,” he stated.
