Page 81 of Awaiting

“You know, his daughter’s gay and single,” Alice spoke.

“What?” Bexley asked.

“He’s notorious for trying to set her up with any woman he can find that he likes.”

“He knowsI’mgay?”

“I haven’t said anything,” Alice replied. “If I weren’t married to Nora, he probably would’ve askedmeto meet with his daughter about something.”

“So, he doesn’t care what I’m doing? He’s trying to hook up his kid?”

“Hiskidis in her forties. And no, he actually cares a lot about what you’re doing here. He cares about Kleinland. He’s just also a father who loves his daughter and probably wants grandkids.”

“Well, he has a son for that, too,” she replied.

“His son died in the war, Bex.”

“Oh, shit,” Bexley replied. “Sorry.”

“So, are you interested?”

“In meeting with him to get more backing for what we’re trying to do? Absolutely. It’s why I came here.”

“No, I meant meeting his daughter,” Alice said, laughing as she sat back down.

“His daughter? No, I’m–” Bexley stopped herself and practically flopped into the chair opposite Alice when she realized what she’d been about to say.

“You’re what?” Alice asked with a knowing smile.

“You’re a bitch, you know that?”

Alice laughed and said, “You’ll have to explain that one to me.”

“You knew.”

“Knew what?”

“That Alex might like me.”

“No, I knew that Alex definitelylikesyou. Present tense, Bex.”

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

“Because she’s my friend, too. Wait… Did she finally tell you?”

“Not the point.”

Alice leaned in and said, “She did? She told you?”

“Al, I can’t believe you knew and didn’t tell me.I’mthe best friend.”

“Alex is my friend, too, Bex. What did she tell you, exactly?”

“That she’s liked me since we met, and you’ve known the whole time.”

“Finally.” Alice took a deep breath. “I’ve had to hold this in for so long.”

“Oh, I feel so sorry foryou,” Bexley replied sarcastically.

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