A Love Restored

“Man,” G

Gray sighed, “You’re such good friends with Lex, but I barely know anything about you.”

“There’s not much to know.

He shrugged. “Still. You’re part of the wedding party. I don’t even know your last name.”

“White,” I answered, my throat suddenly drying up. Gray’s gaze on me was unusually serious–like he was concentrating very hard on my face. “Flora

White”

“Huh.” He said more to himself than to me. “You like your job? Felix’s housekeeper makes an amazing lemon loaf.”

wow friends with Felix?

I nodded. “She’s really nice. Are you

“We work together.” He answered swiftly, then thought some more. “Well, technically, I work for him. But sure.”

I nodded, falling silent. Gray kept looking at me intently. When would Lexi be back?

“Where did you go to school?” He asked suddenly. I raised my eyebrows, and let out an awkward chuckle. Shifting uncomfortably in my seat, I tried to think of a good answer.

“Um, I’m not from around here. I’m-*

Before I could finish, he cut me off “it’s just that you look so familiar. He mused for another moment. “Did you, by any chance, attend Madeira Dalton Prep?”

This was my chance. 1 shook my head, laughing boisterously. Much harder than any normal person ever could. “What do you think? That’s a very expensive school. I went to

Carson High. In a very bad area. Willingdale, if you know it.”

He nodded, suddenly looking very ashamed. I hated to do this to him. “Sorry. I guess I’m confused.”

I did actually go to Madeira Dalton Prep. Maybe Gray

ray went there too. He was older than me, but he might have seen me around. I think he was even

older than Felix. But

everyone involved in the mafia knew him. And by extension, me.

Just then, Lexi came back with a jug of a yellowish drink, and there glasses Gray and I both breathed a sigh of relief.

“Margaritas!” She

announced.

Yeah, drink would be nice.

to go to work, Gray said, standing up. He walked over to us and gave Lexi a short kiss. “Have fun, you too.”

Lexi hade her fiancé goodbye. When he left, she sat down with a thud, rolling her eyes. She went on to pour us both a glass of the margarita,

“Did he ask you anything weird?” Lexi asked. “He’s so suspicious of everyone I know.”

“Suspicious?”

“It’s like he thinks everyone is out to get me or something. It’s not not cute.”

I smiled.

“I’m so happy you’re happy,” I told her. “You deserve this.”

She smiled back, a faraway, dreamy look in her eyes. She blinked and was broken by her reverie.

“Hey, how’s Tominy?” asked suddenly.

Tummy and Lexi had met through me. He had come to the bar once or twice to pick me up or to drop me off, and they had become friends u

Both Tommy and Lexi had that going for them – the power to instantly click with someone. I didn’t. I wasn’t social at all. I could only make awkward small talk that would turn anyone off instantly. I was glad I had found a friend in Tommy and Lexi. They had both initiated it. If they hadn’t, I’d probably be a proper loner.

I don’t remember how much we drank. Too much, because I was so drunk by the time we got around to eating lunch. It was simple. Some kind of fancy rice dish, and salmon. A salad. And then we drank some more. Then Lexi decided to order in some donuts, I was so full, but I ate one with custard cream in it.

We hung out for very long, catching up on each other’s lives. Most of it was her telling me about her sex life. Apparently Gray was some kind of sex God. I hadn’t expected that.

“We should go out this weekend!” Lexi announced excitedly. “A club. Find you some dick.”

I laughed. “I don’t want any dick.”

She frowned, and in a quick second, her face morphed into a grin again. “Why didn’t you tell me?” She sang, “I’m not homophobic.” She grabbed my face with both hands and pulled me to her, then lay a sloppy kiss on the corner of my mouth. I pushed her away, giggling. “We’ll find you a pretty girl!” “I’m not a lesbian

a lesbian.” I said.

“Then what’s the problem?” She asked, her eyes wide. “How long has it been for you? You don’t miss it? Dick?”

I licked my lips before answering. “Very long.”

“How lo

long? Six months? A year? Two years?” Lexi gasped. Her hand flew to her mouth, and she stared at me in surprise. Then, realization dawned on her when I didn’t answer.

“Are

you a…” Her voice fell to a whisper, “Virgin?”

I nodded. She let out a loud gasp.

no, poor Flam

“Oh no, poor Flora.” Lexi reached out and wrapped me in a tight hug. She patted my back for God knows how long.

“I don’t mind.” I explained. “It will happen when it will happen.”

“Are you saving yourself?” She inquired. “Like, for marriage or something?

1 shrugged. I was only saving myself for Felix. And not even consciously. It didn’t make sense for me to have sex with anyone else. I never wanted to. It would either be him or no one else. The mere touch of other men repulsed me. Even the thought of it.

We hung out for a little more before I had to leave. I wanted to be home in case Dad came back. I was in no state to drive, so I called a cab. That would for sure be a dent in my

wallet.

Dad was not home. He didn’t come home at night. I could have just stayed at Lexi’s and gone to work directly. I fell asleep in my work clothes, exhausted. I dreamt all night of

Felix. Like I always did.