Declan
Have fun tonight
Let me know if you need a ride home
I smileat the text that comes through as I get into the car. It’s just like him to offer to pick me up.
Alice
I’ll be okay
I don’t want to get in the way of training
You could never get in the way, Froggie
That has me smiling.God, I wish I could talk to someone about this, but I can’t. The person I would normally talk to about it is the one that is the reason I’m feeling this way. And I can’t talk to Leon because as far as he knows, we’re happily married.
Who knew deciding to make a move on your best friend would cause so much angst?
Traffic is crawling as we make our way back into the city. Even though it’s a steamy summer day, people are out on the patios with beers in hand.
“Is here okay?” the driver asks.
Glancing up, I see the bar Leon sent the address for on the corner.
“Perfect. Thank you.”
“Have a nice evening.”
“Finally!” Jacob shouts when he spots me. “I thought we were going to have to drive out and pick you up to get you to come out with us.”
“Stop it.” I laugh, giving him a hug. “You know traffic sucks around this time.”
“You knew she was coming,” Leon says, rolling his eyes at his husband. “Of course, if you’d wanted her here earlier, she could have come straight from work.”
Jacob points at me. “Drinking in work attire is a no-no. That’s just wrong.”
“Hence why I went home to freshen up.”
“You look wonderful.” Jacob links his arm with mine as Leon gives our name to the host. The restaurant, in an old warehouse with exposed brick walls, has garage doors rolled up to the outdoor patio. Booths are packed to the brim with people. Following the stairs up, we’re seated at a table on the rooftop—complete with old food trucks turned into bars to serve drinks for those up here. Large swathes of fabric blow in the breeze from the overhang we’re seated under.
“How did you get a reservation here so fast?” I ask, dropping into my seat and taking my menu.
“I made it last week. I figured if I gave you time to think about it, you’d change your mind.” Leon smiles at me before ordering the first round of drinks.
I wince. “Am I really that predictable?”
“You’re a creature of comfort, honey,” Leon says. “You like going to work and going home.”
“Is something wrong with that?” Jacob asks.
“Not at all.” Leon winks back. “But you and I get out. I used to worry about you, Alice.”
“I am perfectly content with my life,” I scoff. “There’s nothing to worry about.”
At least nothing I can tell them that I’m worried about.
Namely if I should cross the line with my husband.
