“Andyou just called me a friend? I might just keel over.”
Miguel sits across from him and takes a deep breath. “Dane, you’ve been a friend to me for a while now. I’m sorry it took me so long to realize and appreciate that.”
Dane blinks hard. “It’s nothing.”
“No, it’s everything.” Miguel swallows hard, and his eyes are moist. How far he’s come, from hiding in the shower to practically crying in public! “You’ve gone out of your way to make sure I’m okay—and when I’m not, you’ve been the first one to step in and support me. Riley and Miriam have supported me, too, of course,” he adds quickly. “Still, you’ve been there for me when anyone else would have thrown their hands up and run in the other direction. And while I still wish you’d master the fine art of knocking, you have an uncanny ability to show up at the times when I really shouldn’t be alone, no matter how much I want to be.”
Dane is practically glowing. “You’re welcome, chief.”
“Honestly, thank you. I won’t ever forget it. Even if you did behave inappropriately with my sister.”
“Nice deflection.” Dane reaches across the table and squeezes his upper arm. “I know you’ll remember. And I bet you’ll do the same thing for someone else one day.”
“I hope you’re right, Dane.”
“I always am, chief. I always am.”
A waiter appears and takes their order. The minute he disappears, Miguel asks Dane what he wanted to talk to him about.
“Soo…” he drawls.
Miguel narrows his eyes. “Is this about Miriam? BecauseI’m willing to take back every nice thing I just said about you.”
“Nah, but we’ll get back to that in a hot second. So, here’s the dealio: I called the bank the other day and said, hey, I want to withdraw part of my trust fund so I can give it to Riley’s Aunt Kathy, ’cause she needs to buy more caftans so she can do it up properly in her retirement.”
“What are you even saying right now?” says Miguel, leaning in over the table.
“I’m saying I bought the building.”
“I’m sorry—whatbuilding?”
“Lakeside, dude. It wasn’t complicated. In fact, I’m happy to say our little bookstore co-op will get a sweet break on rent now that a partial owner also owns the building.”
“Dude,I’m on the verge of passing out,” says Miguel, and Dane cackles with delight. “You’re serious?”
“As a heart attack.” He winces. “Sorry.”
“Amelia had an aortic dissection, Dane—not a heart attack. That was my mom, remember? Either way, it’s okay. But seriously, you live like a…” He raises his eyebrows at Dane’s T-shirt, which is fraying at the edges.
“Person who doesn’t spend his cash on stuff he doesn’t care about?” he volunteers. “Yep, I do. I’m lucky to come from money, but that doesn’t mean I want my parents’ lifestyle. Yacht clubs and black tie? Hard pass. My dad’s always telling me to get into real estate, though, and he’ll be stoked I finally took his advice.”
“Is this final?”
“Will be tomorrow. Should have been final a couple days ago, but the power going out threw a wrench in my plans, and I didn’t want to tell you until it was as good as done. Got thefunds, just gotta sign on the dotted line and pass Kathy a bottle of champers. So, that’s what I was trying to explain earlier. We don’tneeda new building. You’ve already got one for as long as you want. That should help a lot with the short-term situation. And actually, the long game, too.”
“Dane, seriously—I don’t know how to thank you.” He pushes his lips together for a moment, then grins. “But if you tell me the answer’s you moving in with me, I’m selling my shares to Riley and escaping to Mexico.”
Now Dane blushes. “Uh, no. I’ve got other plans. And lo and behold—there she is now.”
“Miguelito!” says Miriam, striding across the patio toward us in a pair of heels that could double as ice picks.
I leap up, even though it pains me, and Miguel gasps and stands. “Miriam!”
“Soy yo,” she says, leaning in to kiss his cheek.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were on your way back?”
“I wanted to surprise you. Guess what?” she says, eyes shining.
