Page 43 of February

“Nothing,” Bridgette said, but it was clearly something.

“Your drinks will be over on the bar,” the woman told them.

“Thanks,” Monica replied.

She went to take Bridgette by the elbow and walk her over there since she was still staring down at the floor, but Bridgette was on the move all on her own and over at the bar before Monica had tucked her wallet back into her bag. They each took a tray when the drinks arrived, and Bridgette held the door open for her as they walked back outside.

“So, what wasthatall about?” Monica asked when they stopped at the light.

“Oh. She asks me out every time I’m in there. I usually go to a different place when I can because of it, but that’s the closest to the office, so in a pinch, I go there, and she usually asks me out.”

“That’s not–” Monica stopped. “Every time?”

“Yes,” Bridgette said.

“Why do you say no? Not interested?”

“She’s twenty-two,” Bridgette said. “And I just got out of a relationship with someone who was twenty-three when we dated, and it didn’t end well. Not that everyone younger than me is the same as Toya, and we didn’tjustget out of a relationship – it’s been about eight months, and we weren’t even together all that long – I’m just wary of someone that young now because of it.”

“I see.”

“Youseea lot,” Bridgette said, laughing.

“What?”

“You say that a lot. You say, ‘I see,’ a lot.”

“Oh. I guess I do,” Monica replied. “But I wasn’t talking about the flirty barista. I meant, what happened? I thought we were having fun there for a minute, but then you got all serious and quiet.”

Bridgette pointed to the walk signal that had just appeared, and they began walking across the street.

“Nothing. Just forgot about her when I suggested that we should go there. I wasn’t thinking.”

Monica’s phone beeped, but her hands were full because of the tray, and her phone was in her bag.

“May I?” Bridgette asked.

“It’s in the side pocket.”

Bridgette pulled out Monica’s phone and held it up to her without looking at the screen herself.

“Oh,” she said.

“Not good news?”

“No, it is. My friend Sophie lives down here now. We’re going to have dinner tonight.”

“Please donothave that dinner in your hotel restaurant. I’ll recommend, like, five places to you that you should try, and you’d be able to find something for you and for this Sophie, no matter your dietary restrictions.”

“The Four Seasons has amazing food, Bridgette.”

“You didnotjust say that… No matter how amazing, it’s still hotel food.”

“Do you want to come with us?” Monica asked before she could stop herself.

Bridgette turned to look at her and deposited Monica’s phone back in her bag.

“Uh… I can’t. Busy.”

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