Chapter 39
Peter calls and asks me out for dinner.
I am tempted to tell him how pissed I am that he interfered in my relationship and said what he did to William, but that’s not where I want to spend my energy right now. And, I can understand that from his point of view, he was doing the honorable thing and warning William that he was about to face competition.
“I can’t. I have to paint. Jade says there’s already more interest in buying my paintings,” I say.
“But you need to eat, and I’m here,” Peter says.
“That’s the beauty of New York. I ordered in. Plus, apparently you are staying, so I don’t need to see you this week. This is a key painting week for me.” I don’t need to say how pissed I am. He can tell from my voice.
There’s silence on the other end.
And then I can’t resist. But I’m not going to tell him William dumped me. I say, “What were you doing telling William that you were going to compete for me? Thanks for adding that wrinkle to this week.”
“I want you back,” Peter says.
“It doesn’t work like that.” As I say that, I hope William doesn’t say the same thing to me. “I’m really in love with William. I thought I made that clear before you came. But our friendship means a lot to me. I don’t want to lose you as a friend, but I’m not in love with you anymore.”
“Don’t you think you should give us another chance?” he asks.
“Not at the risk of losing William.”
“If you hadn’t started dating him, would I have had a chance?” he asks. “I think I had a chance when I first suggested coming.”
“I don’t think I gave that impression,” I say softly. “I told you I was excited to see you, but that I didn’t think we should get back together.”
“But we really could be this art world power couple,” he says.
“I don’t want to be an art world power couple. I want my art to be famous, not me.”
“That’s true. You’ve always said that. But nowadays with social media, that’s a lot harder,” he says. “And you’re still singing for the band. You could be this rock star artist.”
“I already am a rock star artist.”
Peter laughs. “I guess you are. I guess you don’t need me anymore.”
“I want you in my life, just not as my lover. But I also understand if you don’t want to do that.”
What if William doesn’t even want to be friends? Are we going to have to establish separate times for visiting Uncle Tony and Takashi?
“I still want to be friends,” Peter says. “I’m sorry for saying that to William. I wanted to be up front about my intentions. Do you want me to tell him that I give my blessing to your relationship?”
“No, that’s not necessary.” That’s all I need, for Peter to find out that William and I are no longer dating.
“Okay, let’s set a dinner date for next week,” Peter says. “I’ll also see you at your show.”
We set a dinner date. And then I call William. His voice mail answers. I hang up.
I staple together another canvas. I should at least paint. I can’t believe he’s not even taking my calls.
I should probably prepare my annual report for him. I call him again and leave a voice mail message. “Hi, I’m hoping we can meet this week. The sooner the better. I need to …” I’m afraid he may not meet me if I say I need to see him to tell him that I want to stay together. “Well, I need my stuff. And I don’t want to end it the way we ended it.”
That’s truthful but ambiguous enough.
I turn on my laptop to write my annual report summary. When I finally finish, I check my phone. William left a message. I forgot to turn my ringer on.
“It’s William. Look, I’m also sorry about how things ended. I … uh … so yes, let’s meet tomorrow. At the Seventy-Second Street Pier.”
Another chance.