Life In Reverse(89)

“You look great,” I counter, fiddling with the napkin in my lap. But then something kicks in. I can’t pinpoint exactly what, but it spurs me on. “I actually don’t like dresses at all,” I admit. “I never did.”

“Oh.” Grant’s face is a blank slate, save for the tiny slash across his forehead. He plays it off, almost as if he wants to avoid what’s really going on here. “So, should we order?”

“I’m not very hungry.” I push the menu away, clasping my hands in front of me on the white linen tablecloth. “Do you remember that night when you were in my apartment and you were looking at that sculpture book?”

“Of course.” He laughs anxiously before it peters out. “You practically bit my head off.”

“Yes, and I’m sorry again about that.” I gather my nerves on a big breath. “But… that was a gift from someone very special.”

“Vance.”

“How did you….”

He scrapes a hand through his hair and sighs. “I read the inscription Ember, while you were in the bathroom.”

My eyes lower to the table then back to him. “Oh.”

His brows pinch together, an expression forming around his mouth I’ve never seen before. “Yeah, Oh. How come you didn’t tell me there was someone else?”

“Wait, no.” I jump in. “Remember before we started dating I mentioned there was a guy? That was years ago, but….” I pause, trying to arrange my thoughts into something that will make sense. That will hurt less. “I found out recently that he’s here in New York, and I’ve… I’ve never gotten over him,” I confess, and he flinches. It’s so subtle I nearly miss it. “You’re a wonderful guy, Grant. Really you are. It’s just that… I’m not one for playing games. Certainly not with your heart.”

He reaches across the table, his hand covering mine. “I know you’re not. That’s one of the reasons I lo—admire you so much. Your straightforwardness and how you care.” His eyes bounce around in thought before returning to me. “And if he hadn’t come back?” I shake my head to give him my answer. Because the truth is, Vance coming back only brought things to light sooner. Grant gets up from his chair to stand beside me at the table, leaning down to kiss my cheek. “If he ever hurts you though, I’ll have to…,” he glances around the restaurant then back to me, “… kick his ass or something. You know that, right?”

I laugh and take his other hand in mine. “If he ever hurts me, I’m going to kick his ass.”

He chuckles and squeezes my hand before returning to his side of the table, surprising me when he sits down. “Can we still have dinner together? I’d like to. Above all else, we’re friends, right?”

His sincerity overwhelms me. It makes this that much harder, even though it feels right. I nod, my voice cracking. “Yes, absolutely.”

We both pick up our menus, my mind and heart lighter than before. As I browse the vast selection of food, I can sense Grant’s stare back on me.

“But if you ever change your mind?” I glance up to sadness I’m the cause of, and my stomach hardens. I give him a soft smile. “Okay,” he shrugs, “I had to take a shot. Because you never know when you might get another one.”

Truer words have never been spoken.





AS I FUMBLE with my keys, attempting to juggle my briefcase, purse, and of course the roses, the door opens.

“Hi, love.” A familiar voice greets me and I look up to discover my best friend, here, in the flesh. I squeal, dropping everything except for the flowers and throw my arms around his neck.

“If I had known I was going to get this kind of reception, I would’ve come a lot sooner.” I pull back just enough to smack a big kiss on Troy’s cheek and he grins. “Wait. That sounded weird.”

“Do you have any idea how happy I am to see you?”

His lips slant upward and he brings a hand from around my waist, pinching his thumb and forefinger together. “This much?” He backs out of my grip, waving me in. “How ‘bout I let you inside so we can catch up from last week.” He eyes my expression. “Because it looks like we have a lot of catching up to do.”

“Here.” I press the flowers against his chest. “Hold these and follow me while I find a vase, and you can tell me what you’re doing here.”

“I’m off for a few days and wanted to surprise my best friend. Done. Your turn,” he volleys back. “Grant usually sends you orchids, right?”

I lean against the counter. “Right. But Grant didn’t buy these for me. Vance did.”

“Told ya,” Avery chimes in. She struts into the kitchen decked out in a low-cut black dress with matching boots, her blonde hair pulled tight into a sleek ponytail.

“You look like Catwoman,” I tease, and she growls, curling her fingers into a claw.

“I’m on the prowl, what can I say?” She slides a chair out from the table, making herself comfortable in our discussion. “So what were we talking about?”

“We,” Troy points a finger between us, “were talking about Vance and—”

“I’ve already filled Troy in on the latest with you,” she interjects and I glare at her. “What? He’s your best friend and he asked,” she shrugs, “I had to answer.”