Page 39 of Meant to Be

“Well, yeah. That, too,” Joe said with a shy smile. “Will you show it to me? Please?”

I gave him a brisk nod, then launched into my sales spiel, pretending he was just another client with a lot of money. It was a professional opportunity. Nothing more. Joe listened intently, and when I suggested he try a few things on, he agreed.

“Lovely,” I said, ushering him over to a fitting room, intentionally choosing the smaller of the two available.

Over the next hour, Joe tried on various items that I selected while I waited outside for him, along with Yolanda, our seamstress. Every time the door opened, and he walked out and stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling mirror, I felt a little breathless. His body was made for clothes, but it occurred to me that I didn’t often see him dressed so nicely. At one point, he said as much, fiddling with the lapel on a jacket and asking if it looked right.

“Yes,” I said. “I don’t even think you need any tailoring. Do you, Yolanda?”

“No. He’s perfect,” she said, all starry-eyed.

“Yes.It’sperfect,” I said, correcting her little slip.

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In the end,Joe decided on a navy suit, two sport coats, three shirts, an orange necktie, and a pair of tan driving moccasins. As I rang him up, I gave him my usual post-sales reassurance about spending a lot of money.You did really well. You got some great, versatile pieces. I think you’re going to be really happy with these.

Joe thanked me and agreed. I walked him to the door, thinking I was in the clear. But at the last second, he said, “So look, Cate. I wanted to say something.”

“Yes?” I said, keeping it light.

“I just wanted to say that…I’m really sorry I never called you.”

I gave him a blank stare, pretending to be confused.

“You know. After we met…” he said. “That day on the beach.”

“Oh. That. Yes,” I said, waving him off. “No worries.”

“I wanted to—so badly—but the timing wasn’t right….”

“Hmm,” I said, nodding, thinking of Margaret.

“But it isnow,” he told me.

“Oh, itis,is it?” I said with a laugh, thinking that he obviously meanthistiming.

“Yes,” he said, missing my point. “So do you think…maybe…I could take you to dinner some—”

“I’m sorry,” I said, cutting him off. “But I’m dating someone now.”

“Oh, okay…I wasn’t sure…. Wilbur said it wasn’t serious.”

“Well, Wilbur doesn’t know everything about my personal life.”

“Oh, yeah. Of course,” Joe said.

I nodded and gave him a close-lipped smile.

He hesitated, then said, “Yeah…so, um, what about lunch? Could you do lunch? Or coffee? Or take a walk in the park?”

Feeling both empowered and determined, I told him that probably wasn’t a good idea. “But I’ll tell you what,” I added, now just toying with him. “If you want to give me your number, I can be in touch if things with this guy ever change.”

Joe grinned, then reached into his wallet for his business card. He handed it to me and said, “That sounds great. I’m feeling pretty hopeful.”

“Oh? And why’s that?” I said, my voice sounding surprisingly flirty.

“ ’Cause you just called him ‘this guy,’ ” he said. “Not a good sign for the ol’ boy.”

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