“But not the furniture and all that?”
“No.” I swirl the liquor in the glass. “She didn’t even take some of the things I gave her as gifts.”
“Left an opening for you to track her down and insist she keep them.”
My molars grind against each other. “It’s not a game. If she wanted the stuff, she should’ve taken it.”
Trick leans back in his chair and gives me a look.
“What?”
“Nothing.” He takes another swallow and sets his glass down, fingering the condensation on its side.
I change the subject, and before I know it Trick’s entertaining me with stories about Anvil nearly causing an explosion with his new propane grill.
I look at my watch. “If I wanted to know where the ‘afterafter party’ was, how long would it take you find out?”
“They’re at Dusk To Dawn. Ten minutes by car.”
“Christ, Trick,” I say, shaking my head. “Have you got a stake in this that I don’t know about?”
He cracks a smile, then finishes his Coke. “I like when things work out.”
“Who says she and I are supposed to work out? Maybe our relationship ran its course.” That’s not what my heart or my body says, but my head’s not as sure.
“Bullshit,” Trick says without hesitation.
My gaze rises to study his face. “Because?”
“I saw you together tonight.”
“Your back was turned.”
“Yeah, good thing my camera’s got eyes of its own.”
My head tips back as I laugh. When I look at him, he’s smiling.
“If I decide to chase her, it won’t be tonight. It’s too soon.”
“It’s been a month.”
“Right, which is five years in Trick time, but for the rest of us, it’s not that long.”
He shrugs. “I say the time to chase a girl is when she wants you to, and believe me when I say Zoe wants you to chase her tonight.”
“When she first saw me, yes. But then I did something she didn’t like, and she took off.”
Trick rolls his eyes. “Like what? Gave the hard stare to the competition and made him turn tail and disappear? How else could she expect you to react? You’re still you. And she’s always wanted you.”
“She doesn’t text or call. A month of no direct contact. I figure she’s looking for someone to fill my spot.”
“Maybe I’ll have a word with our friend Josh and let him know?—”
“No. If that got back to her, it would be counterproductive. Besides, there’s no need. He took off like a scared rabbit the second he realized what I am. Let it lie. If she can find someone she wants to be with more than me, let her.”
Trick frowns. “You’re gonna stand by and let that play out?”
“Yes,” I say grimly.
