The Other Side of Someday (15 page)

The remainder of the night passed in a flash as we drove around LA…including West Hollywood. We passed several clubs, and Sebby slowed his speed so I didn’t miss what he was trying to prove. I knew why he thought Dennis was gay. Attractive men were lined up on the street waiting to get into the different clubs, some of them clinging onto other men. A few of them even catcalled Sebby as he drove by. Many of the men were fit, attractive, masculine…just like Dennis. But after spending the day with Sebby, it didn’t matter. Dennis’ sexual orientation was the furthest thing from my mind.

“What’s that?” I asked as we walked down the hall, my eyebrows scrunched in confusion.

“If I’m not mistaken, your mother wanted to break a few rules and not get caught. I think we successfully did that tonight.”

I pulled the small journal out of my bag and scanned the list. Midway down, there it was…
Break a few rules and don’t get caught
.

My lips turned up at the corners and I pulled a pen from my bag. It felt good to have one more task completed. As my pen touched the paper, I paused. Looking at Sebby, I handed it to him. “Here. You should do the honors. If it weren’t for your trickery, I never would have done it.”

“Nah. You would have.”

“But I want you to do this. My mom would have wanted it, too.”

He groaned. “You’re really going to give me the dead mother guilt trip? That’s not fair.”

“I know, but you were a part of this today.”

Sighing, he took the pen and paper from me, striking a strong line over my mother’s handwriting.

“Feels good, doesn’t it?” I asked as he handed the paper and pen back to me.

He nodded. “It does.”

An awkward silence fell over us. Something changed in our relationship today. We shared parts of ourselves with each other that we probably hadn’t shared with anyone else in years…or ever. I was able to be myself and not worry what Sebby would think. And I think he was able to be himself around me and not worry whether or not Mercedes approved.

“Well, I should get some rest. I have a date tomorrow,” I reminded him.

“Of course,” he said, clearing his throat. “Have a good night, Baylee. If you ever need someone to help you cross more stuff off that list, I’m more than happy to lend a hand.”

“I’d like that.” I smiled a small smile at him, then pulled my keys out of my bag and unlocked my door, disappearing into my condo.

“Me, too,” I heard him respond softly.

C
HAPTER
E
LEVEN

“W
ELL
,
LOOK
WHO
’
S
UP
early on a Sunday morning!” my uncle Monty said in faux surprise when I answered his FaceTime call. I had just gotten out of the shower after taking Sport for his morning walk. Sebby was waiting for me on the same park bench, my coffee in hand, just as I had expected. We sat and talked for longer than usual, no longer playing our question game. Instead, we just said whatever came to mind…or nothing at all.

I couldn’t remember ever being so connected and in tune with someone, even my family, which was confusing for me. One second, I was telling myself our friendship was doomed for failure, that it was impossible for a man and woman to simply remain friends. Then I thought about what it would be like if he didn’t have a girlfriend and both of us acted on our obvious impulses. What if it didn’t work out? I’d lose him as a friend, and I hated that thought. I kept reminding myself of that whenever I caught the glimmer in his eye that he should only reserve for his girlfriend.

I would have been fooling myself if I didn’t admit I thought there was something between us from the very beginning, even when I gave him a bloody nose. Now that I knew who he was, it was time to stop thinking about him that way. Plus, I had a date with the very straight, very non-homosexual Dennis in just an hour’s time.

“Yeah,” I said, breaking from my thoughts. “Had a bit of a late night last night, though.” I yawned. You know those people who function on just four or five hours of sleep a night? That wasn’t me. I had been guzzling coffee all morning in the hopes I would be somewhat awake and bright by the time Dennis showed up.

“It’s okay, Baylee Grace. You’ve been living your life. That’s good to hear.”

“I have been,” I agreed, thinking about the previous day and how alive I felt touring LA with Sebby.

“Have you been making any progress on your mother’s list?”

“Actually, yes,” I answered. “I did yoga, then watched what my neighbor considers to be one of the greatest cinematic masterpieces of the twentieth century, although the jury’s still out on whether it qualifies or not.”

“And what was that?” he asked, a slight smile on his distinguished face.

“
Blazing Saddles
.” I rolled my eyes in playful irritation.

“Really?”

I shrugged. “Well, he’s a producer out here, so maybe he sees something we don’t.”

“Making friends with people in high places, aren’t you?”

“I guess.” I struggled to hide my smile when I thought of Sebby. “Yesterday, I broke a few rules and didn’t get caught.”

He narrowed his eyes, a mock stern expression crossing his face. He was a lawyer, after all. “What did you do?”

“We scaled a fence after dusk and broke into this little park overlooking LA. Oh, Uncle Monty,” I exhaled, briefly closing my eyes. “It was unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. The lights of LA, the Hollywood sign… It was inspiring. If it weren’t for Sebby, I never would have experienced it.”

“Your neighbor?” he asked, raising his eyebrows. Pulling my bottom lip between my teeth, I nodded. “Sounds like you’re spending a lot of time with him.”

“I guess,” I replied dismissively, trying to play it off. I knew the more I spoke of him, the more questions he’d ask. I didn’t need him to berate me about spending so much time with a man who was, for all intents and purposes, unavailable.

“Is there something else you should be telling me about this Sebby?”

I looked at him. “Like what? We’re neighbors. That’s all. You know, a woman and a man
can
spend time together without there being any sort of romantic involvement.”

“Mmm-hmm.”

“What? It’s true! Plus, I have a date with a guy I met at yoga class the other day. A hot, built, muscular guy…unlike many of the male specimens I grew up with back home.”

“You have a date with someone you met in yoga class?” I could hear the caution in his voice. “You don’t think he’s…” He narrowed his gaze at me and I knew exactly what he was thinking.

“No!” I exclaimed. Taking a breath, I lowered my voice. “Well, it may have crossed my mind a time or two…”
Or three or four
.

“Well, regardless, enjoy yourself and don’t take it too seriously. You deserve some fun after everything.”

“Thanks, Uncle Monty.”

“On that note, there
is
a reason I wanted to talk to you this morning.” He hardened his expression to one I had seen whenever he was in a meeting or court.

“What’s that?” I asked, nervous. “Is something wrong?”

“No, not at all. I was just thinking… This is going to be the first Thanksgiving since I can remember where you aren’t around. What do you think about me flying out for the week? I know you have your new life and all, but—”

“Are you crazy?!” I screeched. “I’d love to see you!” My face lit up.

“Good. I’m going to have my assistant send my travel details to you once they’re all ironed out. I’ll try not to interfere with whatever you have going on, but I’d like to see you as much as possible when I’m there.”

“You better believe it!” My eyes settled on the time, not realizing how late it had gotten. “Shit. I’m sorry. I have to go. My date’s going to be here any minute and I haven’t put my face on yet. Can we talk later?”

“Sure. Call anytime.”

“I will. Love you.”

“Love you, too, Baylee.”

I closed out of our video chat, brimming with excitement over the news that my uncle was coming to visit in just a few weeks. I ran upstairs to the master bedroom and hastily began to get ready for my date with the very handsome, very straight Dennis. That was what I kept telling myself, anyway. By repeating the mantra, I hoped it would make it so. Choosing a flowing white sundress, I paired it with coral wedge sandals and a yellow cardigan. After carefully applying makeup, I headed back down the stairs just as a gentle knock sounded.

Pulling open the door, there was a slight fluttering in my stomach when my eyes fell on the slice of heaven standing in front of me.
Good,
I thought.
Flutter away.

“Good morning, Dennis,” I murmured. The dark jeans he wore fell from his hips as if they were tailor-made for his body. The sleeves of his checkered button-down shirt were rolled up, revealing his strong forearms.
 

“Wow. I love those shoes, Baylee. They’re fantastic!”

“Thanks,” I answered guardedly, silencing the voice in my head telling me that no straight man would be commenting on my shoes. Giving him a smile, I tried to convince myself there was no way in hell this man was gay, not with the way he looked and carried himself. He licked his lips as he surveyed my appearance.
He wouldn’t do that if he were gay, would he?

“Ready?” He held his elbow out to me.

“Yes. Let’s go.”

I took his arm and allowed him to lead me down the hallway toward the elevator, unable to stop humming the chorus of “It’s Raining Men” in my head.

“Morning, Miss Morgan,” Jeffrey greeted when he saw me emerge from the lobby. “Enjoy your day.” He tipped his hat and smiled politely as Dennis led me to an idling Ford SUV. The perfect gentleman, he opened the door and helped me in. Running around to the other side, he got behind the wheel, giving me a small smile as he pulled onto the street and headed east.

During our short drive, I catalogued everything about him, from the placement of his hands on the steering wheel to the way he looked at people on the sidewalk. One minute, as I watched him groove along to “The Bitch is Back”, I was convinced he was gay. It wasn’t just because of his choice in music, though. I knew plenty of straight men who got down and funky to Sir Elton John. There was something about his mannerisms that was decidedly feminine. Then he would clear his throat, the noise guttural and masculine, and I was convinced I was playing into some sort of ill-conceived stereotype.

Had I never told Sebby about him, causing him to plant the notion in my head that Dennis was gay, I wouldn’t have been dissecting every sound and movement he made. Part of me wanted to come right out and ask him, but I was worried he would be offended. Worse, I was worried Sebby was right and he
was
gay.

“Did you do anything fun on your Saturday night?” I asked, breaking the tension building between us.

“The usual,” he admitted. “Hung out with the guys.”

I turned toward him, studying him once more. Sure, Will said that when he was heading to watch a big game with some of his friends, but Will didn’t give off the impression of sexual disorientation like Dennis did.

“Had some drinks,” he continued. “Nothing too exciting. The club scene is getting kind of old. It’s always the same people, so we just decided to stay in.”

“Who’s ‘we’?” I asked, waiting for him to say him and his boyfriend.

“My roommate and a few of the guys who live down the hall from us.”

My mind was going a mile a minute. I could just hear Sebby’s voice in my head saying something ridiculous, like “Roommate? So that’s what they’re calling it these days?” A wide smile crossed my face and I had to stifle a laugh.

“What’s so funny?” Dennis asked.

I bit back my smile. “Nothing. Just remembering something.”

“Anything you care to share?” He narrowed his eyes.

“Nah. It’s nothing important. So where is this farmer’s market?”

“Just a few blocks up the road.” Dennis gestured with his head before pulling down a side street and parking the car. “Today’s such a beautiful day, I thought we’d walk.”

If it were anyone else, I’d grow excited about the prospect of a leisurely stroll up the street, hand-in-hand with a man who could only be described as God’s gift to the female population. Instead, I continued to question everything about him. This was my first date since high school and I couldn’t even enjoy it.

Plastering on a fake smile, I said, “Sounds wonderful.”

“Perfect.” He ran around to help me out of the car. “You look great today, Carolina,” he commented, making small talk as we journeyed up the street. I fidgeted with the hem of my skirt, unsure of what to do with my hands. He kept a respectable distance from me, only brushing against my arm when we passed other people on the narrow sidewalk. “Yellow really suits you. It washes some redheads out, but not you. You’ve got great style.”

“Thanks.”

As we approached the entrance to the farmer’s market, Freddie Mercury’s voice belted out “Killer Queen”. I looked at Dennis as he grabbed his cell phone from his pocket.

“Sorry,” he said after glancing down at the screen. “Do you mind if I take this? It’s my boss.”

Queen
? I thought. This wasn’t looking good for me.

“Of course.” I waved him off with a cheery smile. Needing to get the opinion of an expert, I took the opportunity to pull my own phone out of my bag. Thankfully, I knew of such an expert who could shine some light on the situation. Searching my contacts, I typed a quick text.

Marcel, I need your professional opinion on something
.

A reply appeared instantly.

Yes. Orange was so last season.

I rolled my eyes as I entered my response.

No. That’s not it. I met a guy in yoga class the other day and he asked me out. After I told Sebby what I knew of him, he insists there’s no way he’s straight. Now everything he does is making me second-guess his sexual orientation. I don’t want to come right out and ask, but I’d kind of like an expert opinion
.

Where are you?

Glancing around to make sure Dennis wasn’t peering over my shoulder, I gave him an innocent smile when I saw he was still on the phone. Returning my attention to my cell, I typed.