“Very well. She’s a sweet woman, your Alexa. If a little naïve, I was forced to lie. She refused to allow you to pay. I didn’t argue with her. I quoted her the price for one of the bras and panty sets. In the end, she left with five.”

Naïve indeed, if she thought the cost of one set covered five. “Thank you, Gertrude. Please send me the bill to my home, not the office.”

“As you wish, Leo. Would you like the long invoice? The long invoice includes an image of the purchase. She picked several in lace, she likes black, even the silk ones she picked out—”

A groan escapes me. “Not necessary. A simple invoice is enough. I have to go.”

The image of Alexa in black lace and satin haunts me for the rest of the day.

12

Leo

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Drake is waiting at the open door before I even have a chance to ring the doorbell. “You must really be bored.”

“I know it’s crazy, they go to school it’s not like they’re here all the time. It’s just been a while since they were both gone all day. They’re growing up so fast.”

“True, every time I see them they’re bigger than the time before, especially Griffin.”

“Yeah, Ria was just crying the other day about him growing before he ever wore a suit she got him. While Christina is only going at half his rate. Ria dragged them both to the pediatrician’s office last week. The pediatrician shrugged and said just because they’re twins doesn’t mean they are going to grow at the same rate. For a five-year-old Christina is about even on the growth scale, it’s Griffin who is in the 99th percentile. Drink? You look like you can use one. I’m guessing it’s about Alexa?”

I nod as Drake pours a measure of scotch. I take the scotch then sink into the sofa as I sip.

“Well? What about Alexa?”

“I don’t want to talk about her. Not now, not yet. I’m hoping it will pass and there will be nothing to tell.”

The fucker laughs. “Good luck with that my friend.”

I forgive his laughter when he asks about work. Just like that tension runs out of me knowing Drake will not press me until I’m ready.

“Leo, savor that scotch. That’s your last before dinner.” Ria warns as she leans down to kiss my cheek. For the first few years of their marriage, Drake and Ria lived in Boston. They moved back almost three years ago. Drake and I had a monthly ritual of dinner at the restaurant he co-owned and talk of the market well into the night.