Electricity zipped through me. I straightened up and turned away from the mic.
“Everything okay?” Craig asked.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Riley waving him off, staring hard like they could communicate something through just that look.
And I was—fuck, I was smiling as I typed back.
Hey yourself. What’s up?
I took a lazy step or two, wandering in a small circle while I stared at the screen waiting for his reply while those little dots kept me on the hook. He was typing.
I wished his thumbs would work a little faster, impatient right up until a message came through.
I was wondering if you’d want to get coffee sometime?
My reply was immediate.Yes. Definitely. Free after work tomorrow?
Sure!:)
The emoji had me flashing back to Landon’s tentative smile. I imagined him looking down at his phone, cast in its white-blue glow.
Perfect. I’ll meet you in front of Crescent.
See you then!
When I looked up again, Riley and Craig were both staring at me. Hard.
“So?” Riley raised their brows high.
Craig narrowed his eyes at me, but his cheeks were bunched up against a grin he could barely contain. “You’re smiling,” he accused.
I couldn’t even roll my eyes at him. Iwas.
I was happy.
“I have . . . a date.”
It felt strange to admit it. Out of everyone in the world, these two people had known Henry as well as I had. They’d known Henry and me, together.
They’d lost him, just like me, and I had a fluttering, nervous sensation in my stomach. I was worried they’d think I was—I don’t know. Maybe they’d think I was betraying Henry. Forgetting him.
He’d always be a part of me, but?—
Well, that didn’t mean I was going to stay the same man I’d been with him forever. There was room for more living out there.
I shouldn’t have worried. Craig’s grin split wide and he threw his arm around my shoulders. “Fuck yeah! He cute?”
“Is it that guy from the other night? Landon?” Riley asked with an excited little shimmy.
I nodded.
“Socute,” Riley said. “Hot in that office-y kind of way, with the nice slacks.”
I rolled my eyes this time. Sure, his slacks were fine, but Landon? He was just plain hot.
“Go again?” I said, nodding to my guitar. It was a relief to have my friends happy for me, but also a little uncomfortable, like I wasn’t allowed to take up this much attention.
Still, when we started again, playing the song felt—well, better. Making music didn’t feel so heavy and impossible.
