Page 240 of A Matter of Time

“What’d you say?”

“I said your dad and Jude, who’s Dane’s oldest friend, and Dane, golf together. Did you know that?”

“No, I⁠—”

“Yeah. Just every three months or so.”

“For crissakes, J, nobody tells me anything!”

“Why would they?”

“Why would they what? Mention that they all see you and I’m the only one who doesn’t? Oh, I dunno, lemme think.”

I had to laugh. He was so indignant. “You were gone a long time, Sam. We all got used to you not being around.”

“But I’ve been back more than a year now and nobody said shit to me.”

“They probably didn’t want to make your new girlfriend uncomfortable by talking about me.”

There was a quick pause. “What?”

“Oh no, I’m sorry. Your wife, then.”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“I saw a woman with you that day at the street fair. I assumed while you were undercover you probably met someone and⁠—”

“You know, you watch way too much TV. Undercover doesn’t work like that.”

“Huh.”

He chuckled, and it was a warm sound. “You sound disappointed.”

“I’m a romantic at heart.”

“I know.” He sighed heavily. “Lemme come get you.”

“So who was the girl?” I asked before I could stop myself.

“I dunno, probably one of Jen’s or Rachel’s friends. Why?”

“No reason.”

“You sure?”

I would not be drawn back in. “You know what, Sam, maybe this isn’t such a⁠—”

“No, it’s fine. C’mon.”

“You don’t get to decide what’s fine or not, Sam,” I rushed out.

“No, I know.” He sighed. “But just c’mon.”

I was silent, thinking about what I should do.

“Please, J. Just eat with me.”

What could it hurt? “Okay, fine. Do you know Mancino’s?”