Repeat(37)

“Hmm.”

“And I look after myself. I masturbate.”

A young guy who just walked in the door stops and blinks.

“Welcome to Braun Books,” I say with a smile. “Let me know if there’s anything I can help you with.”

He blinks again, still staring.

“To do with books.”

With a jerky nod, he heads back to the secondhand section. I’m rocking this work and socializing thing. Just ask me.

“Well, I should hope you’re able to see to your own needs,” says Iris, picking up the conversation. “Did you watch porn to learn how?”

“Masturbation doesn’t really fall under episodic memory. Its more things like personal facts and details of events that were wiped out. Muscle memory works just fine.”

“Ah. Well, if you need a little help or are just after some variety, there’s a wonderful selection of vibrators and other toys at Delilah’s just a short walk from here.”

“Sounds interesting. I might check it out sometime. Thanks.”

“Personally, I’ve found a Lelo Lily to be a wonderful investment,” she continues. “But you have to take the time to find a personal massager that works for you.”

The guy in the secondhand section obviously has issues with sex or at least discussions regarding same, because he all but flees the premises. Whatever. It’s around about five o’clock. Time for the after-work crowd to hopefully be lured in for some literature. The woman who struts in, however, is very familiar and probably not a customer. And there’s no other word for how she moves. I couldn’t pull off such confidence if I tried.

“We need to talk,” she announces.

“Hi, Tessa.”

Iris just looks between me and the beautiful black woman with intricate tattoos swirling up her arms. Tessa wears ripped jeans and studded boots. A chunky knit top that falls off one shoulder. Runway models wished they had it so good. In my ballet flats, jeans, and Where the Wild Things Are tee (got it from the shop), I do not compare. Oh well. At least I made some effort this morning, or I’d be feeling even further out of my league. And while I’ve seen an instance in a movie where that tone of voice was being used affectionately and jokingly between people, this is not one of those times. Not even a little. But Iris is beaming so I guess she figures it is. I don’t even think Tessa noticed her standing there at first.

“Iris, this is Tessa, a friend of Ed’s,” I say. “Tessa, my boss, Iris.”

Tessa nods. “Ma’am.”

“Hello!” Iris smiles before turning back to me. “Clementine, why don’t you grab your bag and go have a drink with your friend? Try out that new little wine bar along the way!”

“Oh, we are not friends,” says Tessa.

“We’re really not,” I agree. “Are you sure you don’t want a hand closing up?”

“No, no. Antonio will be here soon to help me. You go.” Iris flaps her hands at me. “See you tomorrow, dear.”

I ditch my cloth and wash my hands, grab my bag and head back out to face the woman waiting. The very angry woman. No idea what it is she wants to discuss. After the last time we crossed paths at Ed’s when she ripped me a new one, I’d have thought talking to me would be the last thing of interest. She and I were friends, once. But those days are clearly gone.

“Ready?” I ask, gesturing toward the door.

“Follow me,” she orders.

Out into the street we go. Tessa cuts through the sidewalk traffic with style and grace while I try to keep up. A block and a half along, she abruptly turns and disappears down a narrow stairway. The wine bar is in the basement of a building, all low lighting and atmosphere. Behind the bar is a wall full of dark gleaming bottles. People occupy maybe half of the tables. Guess it’s still a little early for the night crowd.

Tessa sits at a small table and gestures to a waiter. “Two of the house cabernet, thanks.”

“I drink red wine?”

“You do now.” Hands joined resting on the table, she just stares at me. “We have a problem, Clem.”

I wait.

Eventually, she continues, with one word: “Ed.”

“What about him? Is he okay?”

“He would be if you’d stay the hell out of his life,” she says. “I get that you don’t remember anything, so let me explain this clearly. Ed is more than my boss, he’s my friend. We’ve known each other a long time and I am not going to stand by and watch while you mess with his head again. You are not good for him. So you need to get away from him.”

“I tried to move out. He asked me to stay.”

“Try harder.”

I raised my brows. “Okay. Can we visit the part where I’m not convinced it’s even any of your business?”

“I should just let you hurt him again?”

“What have I done now?”

“You told him you no longer think he cheated on you.”

“He told you about that?”

“Eventually,” she says. “Leif let it slip that you were staying with him and then it all came out. Clem, did you think for one moment how that might affect him? About what it would mean to him, you saying that?”

“Yeah, I thought he’d be relieved. A weight off his shoulders.”