Page 103 of Caper Crush
The tables are made for just two, so with two tall men sitting here, it’s crowded. I shift my chair closer to the wall. I’m happy to play wingman for Tessa, but Devon is sitting like a lump next to me. I try to strike up a conversation.
“Were you watching the game?” I motion to the flatscreen hanging on the wall near the bar.
“No.” He sips his beer.
I sip my beer, thinking of other conversation topics.
“What do you do?” he asks.
“I’m an artist,” I say.
“An artist?” His face wrinkles up like he just ate a pickle.
Tessa interjects, “Her work has been on the subway.”
“The subway?” He emphasizes thesubas if it is subpar. “Like a graffiti artist?”
I laugh. “No. Like the upcoming Vertex Art Exhibit.”
“Oh,” Devon says. “Can I get you guys a beer refill?”
Tessa looks over at me. If she’s really interested in Ron, I should go home.
“Miranda.” A familiar voice cuts through the bar conversations. William is standing there with Kiyoko.
I stand quickly, pushing my chair out in a hopeless attempt to look less like I’m having a romantic tête-a-tête in the corner here. But of course, that only makes me look more guilty.
“William, I met Tessa here for drinks.” I should have texted him that.
Kiyoko’s not smiling and her eyes look sad. If she did say she liked him, it doesn’t seem like it went well.
I want to make it clear that I said I had a boyfriend to these guys. “And this is my boyfriend, William.”
Tessa says, “William, it’s good to see you again. I asked Miranda to come meet me for drinks. And this is Ron and Devon, whom we just met, but we told them that we were having a girls’ night out.”
“I think that’s our cue to leave,” Ron says. “Text me.” He holds up his phone. Ron just scored some emotional intelligence points. He and Devon head back to the bar.
“Hi, Kiyoko,” I say. “This is my friend Tessa.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m going to leave first. It’s been a long day. Bye, William. Thanks for the drink.” She walks out.
“I’m heading home. Are you staying longer?” William asks.
Tessa smiles at me.
I say, “No, I’m free to go home now. We had a good girl talk.”
The three of us walk out and head to the Fiftieth Street subway station. I take William’s hand, happy to be going home with him. I hug Tessa goodbye as we separate to go on the downtown train while Tessa heads to the uptown platform.
Our subway comes immediately. There are no seats, so I follow him into the middle of the car. As we grab hold of the pole, my hand touches his for a second, but he moves his hand away.
“How was the conference?” I ask.
“Fine.”
“I told that guy I had a boyfriend. I was only being Tessa’s wingman.”
“I know. That’s not why I’m upset.”
