Tom whispered, just over my shoulder, “I don’t think she knows how an IUD works.”
“Nope,” I said.“Best not to tell her.”
Annie was moving on, already heading for the kitchen.“I made chicken cacciatore!Diego, you never eat right; I’m gonna give you extra to take home.”
I was about to protest when Kelly said, “He’s got a new man who takes him out for fancy dinners.”
Aaaand so much for not bringing up Taran.
“What?”Annie halted in the kitchen doorway.“Who?Oh my god, not—?”
Kelly laughed.“Told you there was something going on there!”
Annie came to me, hands out.I tried not to sigh as I took them.
“Everyoneat the wedding was asking how you two knew each other,” Annie said brightly.“He’s quite the local celebrity.His mother’s a nice woman.A little stuck-up, but she has a good heart.”
“Uh-huh.”Stuck-up was exactly what I would’ve called Taran’s family.I gave her a little squeeze, then turned to Kelly.“So, what’d you eat in Hawaii?I hear their macaroni salad is off the fucking chain.”
With a knowing look, Kelly let me wiggle out of the tight spot she’d created.“Definitely.The whole plate lunch thingsoundskinda weird but it’s incredible.”
“I saw some on your Instagram,” Annie said, now leading all of us into the kitchen.
I lingered in one corner with Tom, accepting a beer from Dad and otherwise letting Kelly and Annie catch up without interference.Annie had clearly been working in the kitchen all morning because she had a whole-ass feast ready for lunch.It’d drive me fucking nuts if she came into my place when I was gone, even if it was to fix me a huge welcome lunch, but if Kelly and Tom didn’t care, I sure as fuck didn’t.
Food smelled amazing, though, and I had plenty of time before work, so I hung out and finally got Tom to talk about his trip.Dad sat and listened, nodding like he knew all about it, but otherwise on good behavior.
As I was cleaning up after the meal, Taran texted.
Taran
Tell Kelly thanks for inviting my mom to her wedding.
I smiled to myself and set aside the dishes I’d been carrying.Typed back:
I got stuck for lunch.
Oof.Thoughts and prayers.
Thx big help as always.
We still good for tonight?
Yes plz.
Pick you up at work.
??
Kelly popped up to read over my shoulder.“Is that Taran?”
“Shut up.”I shoved my phone back into my pocket.
Of course, Annie was heading for the sink too, so she heard.“He’s so handsome, Diego.And his mother says he has a very good job.”
“Yep.”I kept smiling, though.It was kinda sweet of Annie to even be interested.Ten years ago, I never thought I’d be talking anywhere near my dad about a guy I was dating.But here we were, and that was mostly down to her.
“She never mentioned he was gay,” Annie said thoughtfully.“I think he was engaged before?”
