He says nothing, so I walk past him, thinking that's that.
Awkward, sure. But at least I kept my word and didn't lose my cool with the guy.
Until I hear him scoff and mutter something that sounds an awful lot like "Loser" under his breath.
I turn on a dime. "What was that?"
He sneers at me. "Nothing."
"Right. And you accuse me of being a liar. At least I'm not a coward."
"Fine. I called you a loser."
"Why would you do that?"
I grit my teeth, trying to keep my composure. New year, new me, and all that jazz. I am not going to allow myself to get rattled by anything this guy says.
"I was just thinking how pathetic your attempt to keep me and Buzz apart was. You know it hasn't worked, right?"
I take a breath and remind myself thatI'mthe one who's been friends with Buzz our entire lives.I'mthe one married to him.I'mthe one in a newly formed friends-with-benefits situation with him. If Buzz has always been coy with me about his love life, I'm positive he hasn't shared that latest update with this dicksqueak.
I'm not going to engage. If it's a reaction he wants, he's going to be sorely disappointed. "Whatever. I should get going."
"Good. Go spend as much time with Buzz while you can because once we're together, he'll be spending all his free time with me."
"Has anyone ever pointed out that you're delusional? I mean, maybe not anyone from the professional mourner community, but someone from the real world the rest of us live in."
"What? You think you're so good because you're a doctor."
I bite my tongue. Literally.
I've already messed up a bit, and it's a slippery slope with this guy. Once I start laying into him, I can't seem to stop. But I restrain myself for Buzz's sake, secure in the knowledge he and Zane willneverbe together.
"We're doing a life drawing class next week," Zane boasts like it's something worth boasting about.
"So?"
"I've already checked to make sure he's not working the next day. He'll drop me off at my place. We'll both be worked up after the class. I'll invite him in. One thing will lead to another. I'm sure you can fill in the blanks."
You sure as hell won't be getting your blank filled in, that's for sure.
Is that seriously his plan to seduce Buzz? Have him stare at a naked person and then, what? Hurl himself at the guy at his place.
I say nothing and chuckle, then I turn and walk away before I let him get to me.
"Oh, and the class is sold out, in case you were thinking about joining it."
I wasn't, but damn, that would have been a good idea. Wonder if there's any way of scoring an extra ticket.
I dump the grocery bag onto the passenger seat and take off.
Zane hasn't moved, standing where I left him on the sidewalk. As I drive past, he sticks his hand out and gives me the finger.
I keep my cool and don't retaliate.
Let the child think he's won this round. I have a muchbiggeridea taking shape in my mind to win the war.
33
