Page 94 of Idle

“You have everything ass-backwards.”

She places her other palm on top of my hand. “I don’t.”

“You’re wrong.”

Paige’s smile could light up the entire city. “How about we call it a truce? We were both wrong. And both right.”

In the face of such creativity, I can’t hold my own smile back. “Seems like a smart white flag.”

Releasing my hands, she leans forward, a distance still between us. “What do you think of the business plan? The apartment flips and partnership with Arch Pointe Furniture?”

Disappointment flows through me. “Sounds like you have a busy life ahead of you.”

Her face falls. “I don’t want to do any of it without you at my side, Jesse. We’re a package deal—Arch Pointe says so.”

I pick up their proposal and give it more than the short shrift from before. Their offer is substantial. In fact, it rivals my new salary. Still, no way to get around the fact that I can’t let Homer down. I owe him. And Diana.

“I appreciate all you’ve done, Paige, but I belong here.” I wave to the four corners of the drab conference room with its utilitarian furniture, beige walls, and generic artwork.

“You don’t. I know the real Jesse Dimon.” Her hand steals over my heart. “I know what makes your heart tick. It’s not any of this.”

She may be right, but Homer’s mantra not to cross business with pleasure rings true. If I hadn’t crossed the line on the show, we might have won the whole thing. I let my guard down. I can’t do it again.

I allow myself to close my hand over hers. Enjoy this small, final contact. “You may be right, but this is how it has to be.” I release my hand and shove backward. Standing, I say, “Congrats on all your hard work. I’m sure you’ll be a big success.”

She gives me a dirty look and collects her things, leaving my paperwork on the table. Holding the file against her chest, she says, “We have until Wednesday to give our answer to Arch Pointe. I’ll be at Vinnie’s Tuesday night at seven, waiting for you to come to your senses.” She leaves, and a waft of citrus, woodsy scent lingers in the air. I breathe in my final memory of Paige Hansen.

Days go by in a blur, and I studiously refuse to study the paperwork in my drawer. Today, I meet with my new boss, Louis, for several hours, reviewing my mind-numbing proposed protocols. “These are great. Make the changes we discussed and send me the revised memorandum.” His hand clamps onto my back. “Happy to have you here with us.”

With his final words ringing in my ears, I return to my desk and pull up the memo on my computer. I look around my new office. It needs a paint job. Perhaps some millwork.

Shaking off those thoughts, I start in on my to-do list. When it’s quitting time, I glance at the photos on my desk. All four of us on my thirteenth birthday when we went to the beach. Diana’s holding a piece of saltwater taffy over my head and laughing while our parents kiss in the background. A different time. My gaze travels to graduation shots from both college and business school. The warmth of happier times swamp me.

Putting a few items I intend to work on over the weekend into my backpack, the drawer with Paige’s documentation seems to grow larger, like something out of Alice in Wonderland. I turn my back and leave my office before doing something dumb like opening the drawer.

Saturday, I reorganize my closet to accommodate the new suits my parents bought me for my promotion. At seven, I meet up with Theo and Xander for a quick drink before they join their significant others to do a band tour for their joint wedding.

Sitting in a booth, they discuss the trials and tribulations of wedding planning. More than once, they complain about how drawn out it is. “But she’s my sister. Can’t stop Halle—she’s a force of nature.” Xander drinks his bourbon.

We laugh and enjoy our guy time before they have to turn in their man cards and leave for the dreaded music night. Lifting my Guinness in the air, I say, “I bet you’ll be surprised. You might enjoy it.”

Xander grumbles as he slings back the remainder of his drink, and Theo does the same with his Dark ‘n’ Stormy. Before they leave, Theo turns to me. “Congrats on your promotion at the bank. Paige was talking like you’re going into business together, but I guess she was wrong.”

My breath catches. I wish. Perhaps in an alternative universe, she and I would be conquering the design world. “Nah. It was a nice dream, but I’m out of the renovation business. I wish your sister well.”

Xander rubs his goatee, an unholy twinkle in his eyes. “I don’t know about this. I’ve seen your work, and heard you talk about Handmade by JD for years now. I can’t believe you’re giving up your dream so easily. So what if three people decided your stuff wasn’t good enough? Who are they anyway?” He taps his Bourbon glass. “Plus, you and Paige popped off the screen. That’s all I’m saying.”

Theo knocks his empty glass onto the table. “You and Little Bit?”

Damn Xander. Thought we were in the clear, but no. He had to bring the big brother into this. And by “big,” I’m not kidding. He’s put on twenty pounds of muscle since he joined the ice hockey team at Chelsea Piers. I pick up my glass. “Nothing to tell.”

Using his finger, he taps his chin. “I can see the two of you together. You’d balance each other out. Maybe that’s why she’s been more put together than I’ve ever seen her. Working and drawing up plans and such.”

Which are burning a hole in my desk drawer in the office. “Don’t worry, Theo. Xander’s just being a dick.” I slant him a dirty look.

Chuckling, Xander stands. “We have to go. Good seeing you again, Jesse.”

Theo gives me one of his bear hugs. When Xander approaches, I punch his arm. “Douche.”

---