Bankers' Hours (42 page)

Bank teller, math tutor, accountant, and now relationship advisor? I couldn’t understand how I’d acquired so many new hats. I sat on my stool and drummed my fingers on the counter. “Um, I guess that depends on how you feel about him?”

“I like him. He’s funny, and sweet, and I don’t think he’s only out to get me in bed.”

The way she phrased that made me think…. “So you haven’t…?”

“No. He works a lot, and so do I. We’ve only been out a few times. He’s never pressured me to do anything, and I appreciate that, but what if he gets frisky while we’re away? What if he tries something and I can’t just go home?”

I had never been in that kind of position. Every time I’d gone out with a guy, I had hoped for sex. Wished for it. Longed for it. I think it was due to my underlying doubt that I’d ever lose my virginity, and therefore I kind of wanted to get it over with on every single date. The rub was that I’d never even made it to first base on all those dates until I met Tristan. He’d taken it slow, but I was always sitting on idle, ready to thrust my sex drive into motion as soon as he gave the signal. With Jessica, it seemed she wanted to wait.

“You’re not a virgin, are you?” I asked, keeping my voice very low. We’d gotten to the point in our friendship where I felt comfortable enough to ask such an invasive question and know she wouldn’t slap me.

Her head jerked up. “No!” she fussed, making a little sound in the back of her throat. “I’ve had boyfriends, but this is the first one I really, really like. What if we have sex and it ruins everything?”

She had a valid point. I knew that happened from time to time. “I guess you have to just see. If it helps, I like Wes. I think he’s a great guy. I don’t think he’d treat you poorly.”

She plopped her elbow on the half wall and rested her cheek on her hand. “Me neither. He’s been the perfect gentleman on every date. It took him weeks to even kiss me.”

Kiss?
I could use a kiss right now. I’d only kissed Tristan twice this morning, and my lips knew it. I cleared my throat and tried to focus on my friend. “The way I see it, you just need to go for it. You have my number. You have Tristan’s number. Call either of us if you have a problem. Even if we’re in Montana, we’ll come get you if you need us.” I secretly hoped that would never happen, because I could imagine Tristan getting pissed if she actually called.

Jessica reached over the wall, and I clasped her hand. “You’re a great friend, Grant. I think I will. I’ll call Wes right now and tell him I’m in. San Diego, here I come!”

She walked away, and I turned to survey my station. Everything was in its place. I had pens and deposit slips. My monitor was wiped free of dust. My keyboard was also wiped clean, even between the keys. I opened my drawer and checked on my money. One roll of coins was facing different than the rest, so I flipped it. I sighed. All was in order. I could face the day!

Mrs. Snyder walked through the door and grinned at me.
Why was she always throwing attention
my
way?
Jessica had called her a cougar. It wasn’t like I didn’t know what that meant, but I hadn’t seen any cougarish activities. She was more flirtatious than most, but I was 95 percent certain she knew I was gay. Why would an older woman flirt with a young gay man? It seemed preposterous.

My phone vibrated, and I took it out to read my text. I knew it was wrong, but Tristan had promised to only text during the day if it was important, especially since my hours were so short.

It was from my mom.
Enjoy your trip, dear. Don’t forget to text me once a week so I know you’re alive.

Thanks, Mom. I will. I love you.

I love you too. Give Tristan a kiss from me. I’m off to Zumba! :)

I snickered. My mom was a funny one.
I will. TTYL

I pocketed my phone just as Mrs. Snyder sauntered up to my window and placed her stack in front of me. She didn’t even look to see if another teller was free. How bold. “Good morning, my dear boy. How are we today?”

I gave her a kind smile. I wasn’t going to allow her to fluster me. “I’m well. How about yourself?” Instead of waiting until she answered to get on with her transactions, I picked up her stack and sorted it while she spoke.

“I’m—” She paused. “—frustrated.” I knew her eyes were on me, but I refused to look up as I counted.

“Oh, really? Why?” Blithe tone, steady facial expression—I was not going to give away any trepidation. Why should I? I was happy, very happy. It was my last day before a month’s vacation, I was going on a trip around the country with my man, my best friend was getting married next year, my stepdaughter enjoyed my company and had started calling me Dad Number Two, and now my newest close friend was dating one of my husband’s best friends. I didn’t see how my life could get any better.

Mrs. Snyder made a little noise. Maybe it was a sigh, maybe not, but her eyes turned downcast. “You see,” she explained in a pouty tone, “I’m normally very good at getting what I want. I see something… sweet, and I take it. In September I spied something very sweet, saccharine sweet, and I tried my hardest to snatch it up, but to no avail.”

I punched in the numbers and glanced over to her to let her know I was listening. “Uh-huh. That must have been frustrating. What was it you wanted?”

When she didn’t answer, I stopped what I was doing and glanced at her. She licked her lips and whispered, “A fine-looking young man.”

I cleared my throat. “Um, oh, really?” I stammered. “A-anyone I know?” That damn shrill voice of mine just couldn’t lay low for two seconds.

She gave me the most lascivious smirk I’ve seen in my life. “Yes. You know him… intimately.”

My skin rushed cold. Was she really doing this here? In front of everyone? I looked for Jessica, but she wasn’t around. She must have gone to the bathroom right when I needed her to bail me out. Tracy had her door closed. Lucinda must have been in the vault. How could I have been left alone with this woman?

Someone coughed behind her, and we both glanced over.

“Tristan?” I hadn’t even seen him walk in.

Mrs. Snyder addressed him. “Mr. Carr. How nice to see you.”

“Mrs. Snyder,” he greeted her back, nodding slightly. He stepped up next to her in front of my window. “I don’t mean to interrupt, but I stopped by to give these to Grant.” Tristan produced a bouquet of flowers from behind his back.

I gasped and covered my mouth momentarily. “Oh, Tristan! What are these for?” I reached for the bundle as Mrs. Snyder stepped aside after catching daisy petals up her nose.

“Our anniversary.”

I was confused. “Anniversary? It’s not the fifteenth.”

“No,” he said. “But one hundred and three days ago, today, I met you. Right here.” His deep blue eyes sparkled as he gazed at me.

I was about to cry when Mrs. Snyder interrupted our moment. “I think that’s my cue.” She reached for her receipt and slipped it into her purse. She regarded Tristan with a certain air of acknowledgment. “Grant told me he got married. I had no idea it was to you.” She held out her hand, and he took it. “Congratulations, Mr. Carr. You’ve certainly landed a very special catch.”

His eye twitched. “Why, thank you. I know I’m a very lucky man.”

“Indeed. Grant’s a very…
sweet
… boy.” She redirected her attention to me, and I nearly choked on my own saliva, remembering her previous comment. Luckily, she placed her eyes back on Tristan a second later. “I wish you nothing but happiness. Now, if you’ll excuse me.” She released his hand and strolled proudly to the front door.

As soon as the door shut, I let out a little squeal.

“What’s wrong?” Tristan asked.

Jessica appeared next to me and explained, “That woman’s been trying to get him into bed. I swear it!” She held up her hand.

Tristan shook his head. “Is this normal customer behavior?”

“Yes!” I declared. “Some customers even ask me to marry them. The nerve.” I rolled my eyes and we all shared a good laugh.

When I had moved to Westminster less than four months ago, I had worried about how much my life would change. Now, I knew change was a good thing.

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