End of Story(33)

“Absolutely,” I said.

“The house is all good?”

“It sure is.”

“Because you know I can drop by if there’s anything you need help with.”

“Thank you. I appreciate that.” I smiled. “How’s your latest job?”

“Fine.”

“You and Jane are back together, huh?”

“Yeah,” he said. “We, ah, yeah.”

And that’s all he gave me.

I looked at him and he looked at me and, ugh. Guess we weren’t going to be friends and we had fuck all to talk about. Forget the divorce certificate. Ignore the unfortunate feelings. We were through. Which was kind of a relief. I rolled back my shoulders and shrugged it off. Now I knew.

Jane, who was an attorney, was busy telling Tore about a recent case she’d handled when our waiter appeared, a pretty young man with many a piercing. Suddenly Jane perked up and with a blindingly bright smile said, “Well, hi there. What’s your name?”

The waiter grinned and stuttered out something.

Lars’s lips thinned.

Holy shit. That’s what he said she did that time we were throwing around probable reasons for the divorce. How Jane flirted with other people and he found it disrespectful. Huh.

When my turn came, I ordered the salad with grilled salmon and settled back with my mead. Lars’s reasons for reconnecting with Jane were none of my business. No doubt there were benefits to the relationship. Though it didn’t speak well of him that he couldn’t seem to go a few weeks without a girlfriend. Talk about serial monogamy.

Jane leaned toward me. “We never got to talk after that time at the restaurant.”

“Oh. Well. I, um...”

“I thought what Aaron did was complete and utter bullshit.”

I just nodded.

She laid her hand on Lars’s arm. “I know he’s your best friend, but really. To get drunk and announce to a room full of people—including your girlfriend who organized the going-away party—that you’re looking forward to all sorts of new opportunities overseas. And the winking was super classy. How humiliating for you, Susie. Shame on him.”

As if I didn’t remember it just fine. The way everyone turned to look at me to gauge my reaction. How I struggled to keep a smile on my face. Because he’d been telling me for the past few days how he wanted us to stay together. That we’d be long-distance for a year then he’d return. No big deal. Of course, after his little speech, things had gotten ugly. It wasn’t the sort of situation I was going to take sitting down. Nothing like your significant other making you feel insignificant.

“Not his finest moment,” mumbled Lars.

I stared at the table. “It’s in the past.”

“What an ass,” said Jane.

“Yes, he is.” Cleo gave me a rub on the back. “But like Susie said, it’s in the past. Let’s talk about something else.”

Jane just blinked. “Of course. Sorry, Susie. I didn’t mean to—”

“It’s fine. Really.” I smiled. “What have you been up to lately?”

Jane talked and Lars studied his hands. Austin bought me a drink while Cleo and Tore whispered sweet nothings. It was wonderful how obviously into each other they were. I hadn’t seen my best friend smile that wide in a long time.

I turned when a man at the next table dropped his wallet. Jane retrieved it and they chatted. She laughed and flicked her hair and Lars frowned his heart out. Some people were addicted to attention, to the thrill of being wanted. It was harmless. Mostly. But Lars had made the choice to be with someone whose behavior hurt him and I really wanted to know why.

“Back in a minute,” Lars said, rising from the table.

I slipped out of my seat and followed without a word.

When we reached the gender-neutral bathroom door, he frowned at me in surprise and held it open. “After you.”

“Thanks.”

It was a nice clean rest room. Dark green tiles with copper sinks. I whirled around and crossed my arms.

Lars froze. “Something on your mind?”

“Why are you back with someone who makes you unhappy?”

His jaw shifted.

“Don’t get me wrong, I think Jane’s great,” I said. “She tells awesome stories and that Balenciaga purse she’s carrying is beyond words. But her flirting upsets you. It’s why you broke up with her in the first place. An issue that obviously hasn’t been resolved.”

“Susie...”

“Why do that to yourself, Lars?”

His gaze narrowed on me. “You know, you sound almost jealous.”

“And you sound defensive.” I took several steps closer. What I really wanted to do was reach out and shake him. But we never touched. Not on purpose and not if we could help it. “I see you sitting there, looking miserable, and I don’t get it. Can you just not be without a girlfriend? Is that it?”

“It’s none of your business.” He made a growly noise low in his throat. “This is for the best, okay?”

“Not if you’re unhappy.”

“Leave it alone.”

“No. You made me care about you. Now you can deal with the consequences.”

“Get out of my fucking face, Susie. I am not talking to you about this.”