Page 27 of Dr. Sexypants

Then she’d say something to remind them it was my birthday, and they’d turn their attention to me. Inevitably the question of, “So, are you two dating?” would then come up.

Peter Kowalski was the first person to ask. I held off answering, just to see how she’d respond.

Her immediate, “Oh goodness, no!” almost felt harsh. She must have realized it, too, because she quickly added, “Justin’s way out of my league.”

“Hardly,” I scoffed.

Peter’s wife murmured, “That’s a shame. You two seem well-suited.”

Kristy asked, “What makes you say that?”

“I don’t know… you just… complement one another.”

By the time we reached Brian’s parents, Angus and Shannon O’Shaughnessy, the question had come up several times, and each time the answer had disappointed the person asking.

Not to mention me.

Except Shannon didn’t ask—she stated, “You make a lovely couple.”

Kristy immediately started with, “Oh, we’re not—” and Shannon quickly offered an apology.

“I’m sorry! I just assumed you were an item… shame on me. I know better than to assume.”

Angus, however, snorted. “Right. Just like Adam and Lainey weren’t dating. Or Jade and Brian.” He motioned across the room to where the two couples canoodled in a booth. “They didn’t fool anyone either.” He looked back at Kristy and me. “But I get why they wanted to keep it quiet for a while.”

No wonder the man was chief of police. I was ready to profess our affair right there, but Kristy doubled down with a patient smile.

“We’re just friends, Angus.”

He opened his phone and tapped something into it, then slipped it back in his pocket.

“If you say so.”

“We do.”

Speak for yourself.

But I guess in this situation, speaking for herself was speaking for both of us. Unfortunately.

“Then I’ll shut up about it.” He slapped my shoulder and said, “Happy birthday.”

“Thank you for coming.”

Kristy and I stepped away, but the damage was done. Angus had spooked her, and she said, “I’m going to check on Lainey,” before making a hasty retreat and leaving me standing there alone.

I heard Shannon say, “Sometimes Angus, it wouldn’t kill you to play dumb.”

Yeah, Angus.

He at least had the decency to reply, “Fuck, I know. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t tell me.” Shannon nodded in my direction, but I put my hands up to my chest and shook my head with a polite smile then walked away.

****

Kristy

“Where’s Justin?” Lainey asked when I sat down next to her in the big corner booth.