What If It's Us(80)

“Okay. I’ll go get it in just a—”

“You should go get it now, bud. It’s perishable. Let me know what you think, okay?”

We say goodbye and hang up, and Ben wraps his arms around me.

My phone buzzes. Let me know when you get it!! Winky emoji.

“Awesome. Now he’s texting me.” I roll my eyes. “So apparently I’m supposed to pick up a package from the lobby right this second.”

“Okay.”

“Come with me.”

“You got it.”

“There’s a ninety percent chance that this is from Harry & David,” I tell Ben on the elevator.

“Who are they?”

“You know, the fancy gourmet guys who make Moose Munch and those pears? Fruit of the month?” Ben looks at me blankly. “It’s—anyway, let’s just grab the box, take a picture, text it to my parents, and then I’m turning my phone off all night.”

“That’s an extremely good plan.”

The first thing I hear when the elevator doors open is a very familiar voice. “Arthur!”

My mouth falls open. “Jess?”

“And Ethan,” says Ethan.

“I don’t understand.” I glance back at Ben, but he’s staring at his feet. I turn back to Jessie and Ethan, who look larger than life next to the rows of tiny mailboxes. Ethan’s in gym shorts and a Milton High T-shirt, and Jessie’s in a sundress, and they’re both carrying duffel bags. “What are you doing here?”

Jessie smiles shyly. “Your mom flew us up with her SkyMiles. Just for the night.”

“Wait.” I clap my hands over my mouth. “Are you my surprise?”

“Hi, I’m Ben,” Ben says suddenly.

Jessie hesitates. “Nice to meet you.”

“My boyfriend,” I say quickly. “We’re dating again now.”

“Oh—”

“And they’re dating, too,” I say to Ben. “Ethan and Jess. They’re a couple. Ha. Out of nowhere. But I’m happy for them.”

“Arthur, you don’t have to—”

“I am! I’m happy for you. Extremely. And totally. Heh. You know what should be a word? Extrotally.”

Ben’s lips twist up at the corners.

“Anyway, wow. You’re here. For my birthday.”

“Extrotally,” says Ethan.

“And you don’t hate me.”

“Why would we hate you?” asks Jessie.

“Because I hung up on you? And I was a jerk? But you’re here.” I look from Jessie to Ethan, grinning. “You’re in New York.”

Jessie grins back. “Your parents didn’t want you to be alone on your birthday. Although . . .” She glances at Ben, who promptly turns bright red.

And in that moment, it hits me. Ben. At my apartment. With no parents. On my birthday. Just us and six unopened boxes of condoms and . . . Ethan and Jessie. I mean, talk about some fucking next-level parental interference.

But as cockblocks go, this is kind of a great one. I keep staring at everyone’s faces and smiling. Ethan, Jessie, and Ben, all in a row. My three favorite people in one tiny elevator. And no one hates me. Nothing’s broken. Maybe the universe has my back after all.

“Did you guys take the subway from the airport?” asks Ben.

“We Lyfted,” says Jessie. “You grew up here, right?”

“Yup. In Alphabet City.”

“That sounds like Sesame Street.”

“That’s what he said,” Ben says, nudging me, and then he blushes. “Not like that. Not like that’s what he said. I just mean. Arthur said that. The Sesame Street thing. About Alphabet City.”

“Got it.” Jessie laughs.

The doors slide open, and we step out into the corridor.

“So, how long have you guys been dating?” asks Ben.

Ethan and Jessie glance at each other. “Um. Like two months? A little more?”

It’s funny. They’re not touching. They’re not even standing that close to each other. Which makes me feel weird, like they’re walking on eggshells. Like I scared them out of being affectionate. But maybe they’re just a really hands-off kind of couple.

“Here’s home,” I say brightly, opening the door to 3A.

My phone buzzes: Ben, slyly texting from my doorway. They’re a couple????

Yup. Upside-down smiley.

You okay?

“This place is so nice.” Jessie peers around the living room.

Extrotally. Five more upside-down smileys.

Laughing-crying emoji. Let me know if you guys need some time to talk. I can head home, no worries.

“No!” I say out loud.

Jessie and Ethan look at me expectantly, while Ben bites back a grin.

I blush down at my phone. Don’t go, I need you!!!!!! Do you think your parents would let you stay overnight? Fingers-crossed emoji. Praying-hands emoji.

You got it, I’ll just tell them I’m at Dylan’s sickbed.

Wow, tell D he’s the best wingman ever, A+

Our eyes lock. Ben grins. I grin, too.

“Whoa, is that Catherine the Great?” asks Ethan, blinking up at the walls.