The drive felt like it went on forever, and that even though it was ten minutes, fifteen tops, before we arrived.
I let the jacket stay in the car and got out before Alexander had the chance to leave the car.
He walked around the car and put his hand on my back.
There were people, many people, and there were art on all the walls.
Now I didn't intend to be prissy, but this was not my style at all. I wanted something where I could see what it was intended to be. Especially with painting as they would hang on the walls much longer than an advertisement.
We each had a glass of something.
Alexander still had his hand on my back.
We met the artist, and I spotted Carolyn, Candace's friend with the afro hair.
"Hi, girl," she said. "You look sophisticated, has the mogul managed to trap you in his net?"
I briefly looked back at Alexander who was talking with the artist. "No," I said and shook my head slightly. "He hasn't managed to trap me in." Carolyn wore a tight dress that accentuated her model like figure.
"Listen, are you seeing him a lot?"
"I pretend to be his date," I said. "I guess we're sort of friends." And that even though I couldn't tell him about mom during dinner.
Carolyn looked at Alexander before smiling to me. "Candace asked me to warn you." She smiled.
"About what?" I asked.
"That he's only after one thing, and when he's gotten what he wants, you out."
"He's tried, but I don't want to," I said.
Carolyn nodded. "Impressive." She said.
I smiled. "He's too controlling for me to want to be anything but his friend."
She laughed. "Save him from despair," she said. "It looks like he wants to get away from Darrick."
"Darrick?" I asked. Carolyn's boyfriend was Darren.
"Darrick, the artist, he's gay," she said. "And it doesn't appear as if he's gotten the memo that Greene is not."
I looked back and Alexander was standing stiff as a board. "Hopefully we'll meet again," I said and left Carolyn to save Alexander.
He looked at me.
I grabbed his hand. "Hi," I said to Darrick. He wasn't my stereotypical gay, but not everyone wanted to wear tight jeans and low-cut shirts.
Darrick smiled. He was short, light skin, dark eyes and dark hair. He wore pants and a shirt. A white shirt, something you'd see Alexander wear too.
"You must be Christina," he said. "I've heard about you through the tabloids."
The tabloids? Who even said that?
I smiled and looked at Alexander. "Then I guess it must be true." I said.
Alexander gave my hand a squeeze before letting go and putting his arm around my waist. Discreetly he pulled me closer.
Darrick watched us with interest.
It surprised me when Alexander kissed me on my hair, but I played it off as if it was normal.
He kept his arm around my waist, and I pulled him in the opposite direction as to where Darrick was.
"Who is he?" I asked Alexander.
"Darrick," he said. "He hasn't understood I'm not homosexual."
"Gay," I said.
"Homosexual," Alexander repeated.
"Whatever," I said.
We walked amongst the paintings in silence.
"If he hadn't looked at us with that suspicious glance, I wouldn't have kissed your hair." Alexander said.
"It's fine," I said and looked at him.
He nodded. "We won't stay for long."
"Okay," I said. The paintings were fine. Some I liked better than others.
Once in a while someone came over to talk to Alexander. He kept his arm locked around my waist, and I didn't leave him. I didn't want to get lost in the many pictures. Paintings, whatever.
"Can we leave?" Alexander asked.
"If you've finished?" I said and looked at him.
He nodded and led me outside and away from the paintings.
Jazz led us to the car, opened the door for me, and I got in.
Alexander got in next to me. "This is meant like a question," he said quietly and looked at me. "Sleep in my flat tonight."
I smiled. "It's just as fast if I go home."
He swallowed. "Sleep in my flat tonight," he repeated.
"I don't have any other clothes, and I'm not showing up in the same outfit two days in a row." I said.
He rubbed his jaw. "I can get some."
"I could also just go home," I said. "You'll get my reply on Saturday. I've got your email, I know where your office is hiding out."
It looked like he wanted to discuss it with me. "Okay," he said.
"Thank you for being cooperative."
His eyebrows dived down and put his eyes in shadows. He looked out the window. "Jazz will drive you home when you've got your stuff." He said gloomily.
I reached over and gave his hand a squeeze. "Thank you," I said.
He looked at me, he was not too happy though. "Lunch at... Do you want to eat lunch with me in my office tomorrow?" he asked.
I smiled. "Yeah, I'd like that." I said.
He had my hand in between both of his and held it there until Jazz parked in the parking garage.
"Can I walk home?" I asked Alexander.
He looked at me.
"Not that I have to ask you, but now I did accept your offer at giving me a ride." I said.
It looked like he was about to deny. "Only if you text me when you get home. I still remember what happened when you slept in my flat the first night."
I nodded. "I will," I promised and unbuckled.
Alexander followed me almost mutely into the elevator.
I went back to the bedroom and changed into my working clothes and flat shoes. I put the dress, lingerie, nylons and shoes in the bag where the clothes had been, and I went to find Alexander.
He had taken off his jacket and was leaned back against the wall, arms crossed. It looked like he was waiting for me.
"Thank you for a wonderful evening," I said. "See you tomorrow."
He followed me to the elevator, pushed the button and we waited in an uncomfortably silence until the elevator arrived with a pling.
I went in and pressed the button.
Alexander had left before the doors shut.
Did I want to help him look after kids this Saturday? I didn't have any plans, but what wouldn't that do to us? After tonight, I'd consider us friends, something we hadn't been before.
I went out onto the street and walked back home from Alexander's flat.
It took longer than I anticipated, but it wasn't too bad.
I emailed him when I'd unlocked the door to my flat.
I locked the door, went to the living room, turned on the lights, changed into pajamas and put my new underwear in the hamper.
I made my bed, brushed my teeth and went to bed. Time to work and classes when I woke up.