“I asked if you were dating because of how jumpy you got by me suggesting we have lunch. I figured you’re trying to protect me from a jealous boyfriend or something.” Gregg shrugged nonchalantly. “Look, I was just happy that everything’s going great for us and thought it was a good idea to extend a lunch invitation to you. If you’re worried that I’m trying to get close to you, I’ll invite Cindy. I just want to celebrate, and I don’t want to do it alone.”
Erin’s cheeks reddened. Her head fell into her chest as embarrassment shrouded her like a blanket. She had misinterpreted his intentions because she’d been so fixated on not getting into a relationship with anyone. She could hit herself over the head with a bat for not realizing it was a friendly gesture.
“Gregg, I’m sorry for overthinking it, and yes, I would love to go to lunch with you to celebrate this win.” She smiled conciliatorily.
“It’s fine.” He grinned reassuringly. “Should I go invite Cindy?” he asked, looking over his shoulder to the door before bringing his gaze back to her.
“No!” she blurted. “I mean, I don’t think that’ll be necessary.” She beamed. She cringed at the idea of Cindy tagging along. Compared to Gregg, Cindy was a megalomaniac, and Erin was sure the woman would find some way to make the conversations all about her. Just thinking about her made a nerve throb at Erin’s temple.
“Okay. No Cindy, then.” Gregg gave her a pursed smirk. “What time do you want to go?” he asked.
“I’m free in a half hour,” she revealed.
“Alright. I’ll see you in a half hour,” he returned, then headed for the door.
Erin released a tired sigh as she dropped into her chair. Resting her head against the rim, she stared unseeingly at the white roof. She’d told Gregg she needed a half hour because she needed a breather to center her thoughts. In less than a minute, her eyes dropped shut, and she was out. The ringtone on her phone brought her out of her nap. She rummaged through her top drawer until she found the small device.
“Hello?” she answered on the third ring.
“Hi.”
Erin straightened in her seat as her heart drummed wildly inside her ribcage. “H-Hi, Brian,” she stammered. She’d spoken to him less than two weeks ago— that had been when he’d called to offer his condolences after her grandmother had passed as a result of her ALS. Still, hearing his voice at the other end was like hearing it for the first time in months rather than just two weeks ago.
“Hi,” he repeated. “How are you?” he asked after a short pause.
“I’m…okay. I guess?” She stood to her feet and walked over to the window. One hand circled her waist while the other held the phone against her ear.
“I want you to know that I would have been there for Becky’s funeral, but I didn’t want to intrude. I wanted to give you your space, but I thought about you…and the family the whole time,” he spoke seriously.
“I know,” Erin said, her shoulders drooping as the thought of her grandmother weighed heavily on her. It had only been two weeks since they buried her, and the pain was still fresh for her. She was sure it was the same for the rest of the family. But, at least they had each other to lean on. “I’m honestly thankful to hear that you still care.” She squinted at the specks that looked like long lines of ants but were actually vehicles traversing the George Washington Bridge.
“I’ll always care about you, Erin. Nothing will ever change that,” he said with sincerity.
A tear slipped down her cheek. With everything that was going right in her life, it still felt as if most things were still going wrong. From losing her grandmother to her strained relationship with her sister and the nonexistent one with her father, coupled with her breaking up with Brian three months ago, it felt as if she was eons away from her life ever being right again.
“Thanks, Brian,” she spoke softly.
There was another pause before Brian spoke. “Erin…I mi…”
Her pulse quickened as she waited with bated breath for him to finish.
“I mi... I’m here for you if you ever want to talk.”
Her heart sank to the floor of her chest. “Oh, okay. Thanks.” She was disappointed even though she knew she had no right to be.
There was a soft knock on her door before Gregg’s head popped through it. “Hey, you ready to go?”
“Give me a few minutes, Gregg. I’ll meet you in the lobby,” she told him.
Gregg gave her the thumbs-up and popped back out of her office.
“Who’s Gregg?” Brian asked, his tone tense.
“He’s a colleague,” Erin rushed to explain.
“So, you’re going somewhere with him?”
“We’re heading to lunch to celebrate the business’s success.” Drawing up short when she realized she was explaining to appease him, she said, “Look, Brian, I don’t need to explain to you what I’m doing or whom I’m doing it with. We’re not together anymore. Remember?”
