Julian handed her a tissue.
“I feel guilty for thinking something’s funny.I feel guilty for being happy to be here, with you, when Gabriel is dying.I feel guilty for being relieved that our marriage is over, because I never would’ve wanted it to end this way.”
“He knows that, Isla.Everyone knows that.”
“I tried so hard to make it work.”
“You were fighting a battle you couldn’t win—and so was he.”Julian put a bottle of Chardonnay and another of rosé on the counter, raising a brow in inquiry.
“Do you have vodka, by any chance?”
“I do.How do you take it?”
“With ice would be good.”
“You got it.”
She tucked her hair behind her ear as she wondered what she must look like and decided it was probably better not to think about that.He’d said she was beautiful, which was a lovely thing to hear.“I read this thing online a while back… about how men can be super weird about seeking medical attention even when they know something is wrong.It’s, like, a thing…”
“My dad is very proud of the fact that he hasn’t been to a doctor in twenty-five years.”
Her eyes went wide.“Seriously?”
Julian put an icy cocktail glass on the counter in front of her and opened a beer for himself.“Yep.We tell him he’s a fool, but he points to his dad, going strong at almost ninety-four with minimal medical involvement, as proof that doctors are a waste of time he could be billing to clients.”
“That’s nuts.”
“I know, right?”
“Your grandfather is ninety-four?That’s amazing.”
“His birthday is next month.He’d want me to say he’s only ninety-three, but I’m rounding up.He’s the coolest dude I know.He founded our firm sixty years ago, and it’s been supporting our family ever since.”
“That’s an amazing legacy.Does he live independently?”
“In an assisted-living apartment, but he still cooks for himself, drives occasionally and plays at least one round of golf a week, if not more.The last time I played with him, he beat me by four strokes.”
“Wow, that’s impressive.”
“It was annoying.He’s still gloating about it.”
She laughed.“I love that.”
“He’s great.He was a big part of our childhood.”
“I heard you have eight siblings.”
“Guilty as charged.”
“What number are you?”
“Number one, baby.Leader of the pack.”
“And they let you lead them?”she asked skeptically.
“When they’re smart.”
“Are you close to them?”
