Page 30 of Strawberry Cake
“Does she know what happened?”
Decan nodded. “Told her last night.”
“I thought maybe that’s why you were mad at me—because she didn’t know.”
“I’m mad at you because you keep bringing up my past. I don’t appreciate it slapping me in the face all the time.”
Marco’s tone turned sincere. “Fine, I was in the wrong. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have brought it up.” The conversation lulled while Marco stood and cleaned up the evidence from the diabolical taco murders. When he returned to his seat, he had a smarmy grin plastered on his face that Decan knew far too well. This conversation would be embarrassing. “So, what was it like last night? What did you guys do?”
“You really want to talk about how my crippled ass got laid?”
Marco ignored the question. “How did she react?”
Decan crooked his brow at his best friend. Was that…concernin his voice? “She was better about it than I was.”
“So, she didn’t make a big fuss?”
Slowly, it dawned on Decan. “Shit, you’re actually really worried.” It was a statement. Not a question.
“I just don’t want her to make you feel bad because things might be a little different between you two. You shouldn’t look past the red flags just to get your dick wet.”
“She was amazing. She didn’t make it awkward or anything—never has. She’s been very accepting from day one and doesn’t make me feel… Well, like I’m lacking.”
“Good.”
Decan continued rambling. “It’s like she doesn’t even see me as disabled. I mean she understands my limitations, but it’s not like she sees them as defining who I am.”
“Good.”
“Is that all you can say? ‘Good?’”
“I guess I just haven’t seen her around you enough to completely agree with you.”
And just like that, the conversation was over. They put on a movie in the background, continuing as if they’d never fought at all.
The next morning, Decan texted Hope and asked her to call him whenever she was free. After hours of agonised waiting, his phone finally rang near lunchtime.
“Hi,” he greeted.
“Hi there. Feeling better?”
“Yeah,” Decan sighed.
“Did you two talk it out or are you still fighting?”
“He brought tacos last night and we talked it out.”
She laughed, light and gorgeous and soothing to his soul. “So when we fight, all I need is to bring tacos? Is there a place you prefer?”
Decan smiled. “The place of Westheimer and Winrock.”
“Adding that to my notes, thanks.”
“You have notes on me?” he chuckled.
“Of course, I can be awfully forgetful when mad, so I’m preparing beforehand.”
“Clever.” He scrubbed his hand over his face.