Page 75 of C*cky Best Friend

“I’m sorry, just a few more minutes,” Samantha intimately says to someone else in the room.

Confused, I ask, “Who’s that? Where are you right now?”

“It never occurred to you to ask, did it?” she laughs uncomfortably.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Your life is so fabulous that you never ask what's happening in mine anymore.”

I stare at a grey, stone wall that’s been here for centuries, mind racing over past conversations to see if she’s right. “It’s been two-sided. I’m always asking what’s going on in your life.”

She is all gentle compassion. “Do you really believe that, Logan?”

Raking my long hair back, I search the past again, but find certainty impossible. “Yeah. I do. I know all about…”

“Logan, it’s okay. I’m teaching children how to dance and really be who they are. That’s all you need to know.”

“I know where the studio is!”

“I told you that almost three months ago. You’ve heard no stories since then. But it’s okay. It’s not as exciting as running with the bulls in Pamplona.”

I frown, “Who is with you right now?”

There’s a hesitation. “Steven. I’m with Steven. I was going to tell you about him last Monday. The timing never seemed right, and our phone call was so rushed.”

And one-sidedhangs in the air, unsaid.

The bar froze at the name Steven. Time no longer has power.

My voice deepens. “Is this your boyfriend?”

Ines is a statue. There’s a stream of liquid from the shaker suspended above a glass.

“How did you meet him? Have you…”

Slept with him?

Told him you love him?

“He been to one of your BBQs?”

“It’s too early for that,” she replies, voice quieted so he can’t hear.

“How early?”

“A month.”

“Has Lexi met him?”

“Of course.”

“Caden?”

“Yes.”

My eyes close. “Your parents?”

There is silence until finally Samantha says, “Not yet.”