Like a car through a fresh plate-glass window on a new business, Kitty brought the reality crashing back in. “But you two are what, in love?”
Nick looked at me again, pain in his eyes. We’d hinted at love all the time, but we stuck with our “XO” routine. I did love him, of course, but I knew us saying it would just make things messier in the worst-case scenario where my job found out about us.
“We’re being careful,” I said. “As you know, he’s my client and we can’t be public. We get together when we won’t be seen.”
Mikey puffed out his lip. “Like Romeo and Juliet! Do you throw pebbles at her window?”
Nick chuckled. “I do not. And I hope we don’t die in the end. But yeah, we decided we didn’t want our arrangement to endbecause we really like each other. If sneaking around is what we have to do to be together, so be it.”
Jessie was clutching Mikey, swooning. “That’s so sweet and sad.”
“Okay, Obi, who’s hotter, me or Guy?”
Kitty and Jessie shouted at Mikey simultaneously, a “MICHAEL!” and a “BENNY!” coming out at once. “That is not an okay question to ask,” Jessie clarified, shaking her head. “You don’t ask Annie which of you is hotter.”
“Annie doesn’t see me naked!” he objected.
Jessie glared at him. “You’re making it worse.”
“You’re right, you’re right,” Mikey backpedaled. “I’m sorry, Obi. I just want to be hotter than Stelle.”
“Can I hug you guys?” Kitty asked. “I’m so happy for you both. And worried, but mostly happy.”
We all stood and exchanged hugs and congratulations.
“And next time you’re fucking on my patio, at least take the souvenir with you. Jesus,” Kitty said. “Almost ruined my marriage.”
“I owe you guys big time for that one,” Nick said. “I can’t say I’m sorry enough.”
Then everyone piled on, revealing the breadcrumbs and things that suddenly made sense about Nick’s and my behavior.
“That blonde hair on his sweatshirt that day, Stelle!”
“All those mysterious dates with no follow-up.”
“The dog in the background!”
“The way Greg is obsessed with her!”
“Both of them disappearing at Thanksgiving.”
“When he said his new girl took care of him when he was sick.”
I finally got to show Jessie and Kitty the fun pictures from our skateboarding date.
Mikey gave Jessie a look and said, “While we’re sharing news . . .”
“Ben,” Jessie whined.
“They’re our best friends, Jessalyn,” he whined back.
Jessie smirked. “Fine.”
“Jessie’s pregnant,” Mikey said with an ear-to-ear grin. “Due onHalloween.”
Kitty and I both squealed and swarmed Jessie, making a little circle and skipping around. It was truly one of the more ridiculous things I’ve done in my life.
“No skipping, I feel like ass,” Jessie moaned with a laugh.
