my ranch.”
“I'd love to.”
“That only leaves one thing, then.”
“What's that?”
“For you to go to Mikey and tell him how you feel. You said you didn't want me to be lonely and I feel the same about you.”
“But, I can't just march over there and tell him... can I?”
“I can't see why not.”
When Mr. Iglesias said it then, I suppose, I couldn't see why not either.
“So I suppose this is goodbye...for now.” I said to him.
He got up and picked my coat up off the armchair. Like a gentleman, he helped me on with it. I gave him another big hug and really didn't want to let him go. I would miss his yearly visit but I was equally looking forward to seeing him at his home in Argentina.
“Good luck, my Grace, and have a wonderful Christmas.”
I took the subway back and my heart was in my throat. I was going to go straight to Mikey's place but I thought when I got there I'd lose my nerve. I'd already thrown myself at him once. This time I was going to keep all my clothes on and ask Mikey if he could ever see us being more than friends.
Frank opened the door when I got there.
“Hey beautiful, I know you didn't come to see me but maybe I can persuade you to reconsider your choice.”
“Frank, when you stop entertaining a different woman each night then maybe, just maybe, I might let you take me out for a drink and then I'll consider your offer,” I smiled and became a little more at ease.
“Ah, don't tease me, now. You know I've always loved you from afar. Anyway, must run, I got Joanna or is it Jackie, meeting me at eight.”
“Have a good night, Frank.”
He was putting on his coat and standing at the door.
“Your boy is in his room,” he said. “Don't do anything nasty.”
He left and Stewie smiled at me from his computer table. I had a terrible feeling that Mikey might have told them both about us making out a couple of weeks ago. I walked towards Mikey's room thinking, this is a bad mov e. I wanted to turn back but Mikey opened his door and poked his head out.
“Grace, it's you.”
“Hope you don't mind me coming by.”
He closed his bedroom door like I wasn't welcome and I knew this was a big mistake. But how could I leave here, feeling the way I did without even trying to ask Mikey out on a proper date. I thought if we could have dinner or go for a drink as boyfriend and girlfriend he might just fall for me the way I had him.
I looked over at Stewie, who nodded at me. I couldn't talk to Mikey in the living room I had to get him somewhere in the apartment where we could be alone.
“I could do with a coffee, Mikey.”
“Oh sure,” he said and led me to the kitchen. He put the kettle on and I could see he was wearing a shirt I'd never seen before and even his jeans looked new, or clean.
He made me a coffee and we seemed to have nothing to say to each other. He was opposite me at the table and I took a deep breath.
“Mikey, I wasn't just passing.”
“No?”
“I went to the hotel, I went to see Mr. Iglesias.”
“And how is he?”
“Oh he's great He's going home tomorrow, spending Christmas with his sister in Argentina.”
“Well that's good news. And you have your time off work, like you wanted. So all's good.” He looked at his watch.
“Going somewhere?”
“No, no, just wondering.”
“Look, I don't want to take up your time, maybe I should just go.” I stood up then sat back down again. I hadn't even taken a sip of my coffee. “Mikey.”
“What is it, Grace?” He leaned across the table and his arms slid towards me.
“Mikey, I lied to you.”
“You did? When?”
“The day you came to the hospital. I told you I wanted us to go on being friends and that wasn't strictly true.”
“You mean you don't want to be my friend anymore? What did I do?”
“You didn't do anything. Something in me
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