Page 56 of Indiscretion

“No luck?” my sister said.

“It’s mind-blowing how fast things move in New York.”

“Let me guess—you waited in line for hours, only to be turned away before you got to see the place because someone snatched up the amazing deal on a two-hundred-and-fifty-square-foot, five-story walkup for only thirty-five hundred a month.”

I smiled. “Basically. You are so lucky to have this big, rent-controlled apartment.”

“I know. And it’s really cool that my kids get to grow up in the same place their dad did, since he’s not around. Did I ever show you Michael’s growth chart in Ryder’s closet? He gets a kick out of marking his height every year and realizing he’s taller than his dad was at the same age.”

Both she and the kids had shown me the wall a half-dozen times over the years since Michael died, yet I wouldn’t deny her a moment to enjoy it again. “Let me see it.”

After a trip to the closet, Frannie made us some tea, and we sat on opposite sides of the kitchen counter. I noticed she looked pale, almost a little gray.

“Are you feeling alright?”

“Tired, but okay.” She blew into her mug.

“Maybe you should call the doctor.”

“I’m fine. Really. Tired is normal. How was your date the other night?”

“It wasn’t a date.”

Frannie held her hands up. “Oh-kay.”

I guess it had come out kinda snippy. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to jump down your throat. It was a reflex after lunch with Dawson yesterday.”

“Your boss?”

I nodded. “I stopped by the office after going to the gym to see if he needed any help. One of his big cases blew up on Friday, and he was there all night trying to figure out how to fix it. He kept making comments about Simon wanting more than friendship.”

My sister’s forehead wrinkled. “Why does your boss have an opinion about a guy you’re spending time with?”

I sighed. “It’s complicated.”

“Uh-oh. Complicated with the boss? That’s asking for trouble, isn’t it?”

“Nothing’s happened. Not really, anyway. But there’s some undeniable chemistry between us, although more often than not, it bubbles to the surface when we’re arguing.”

My sister sighed. “I miss angry sex. Actually, I miss sex in general.”

“Would you think about dating?”

She sighed again. “I don’t know. Maybe someday, I guess. But it would have to be when I’m done with my treatments, and I know my health is okay. I would never want to get involved with anyone just to have them experience what I did losing Michael.”

“Don’t even say that, Frannie. You’re not going anywhere.”

She smiled. “Maybe Ishoulddie on you, just so you’re stuck with my two kids as payback for that time you left me babysitting Mom’s friend Alana’s three little monsters when you were supposed to be helping me.”

I chuckled and lifted my tea to my lips. “You have a warped sense of humor.”

“Let’s get back to angry sex with the boss.”

“I didn’t have angry sex with the boss.”

“I know. But it sounds like you’re going to. What’s he look like?”

“He’s tall, dark, and sexy, with broad shoulders and an eight-pack. But he knows it.”

---