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She freezes and raises an eyebrow.
“I don’t mean to pry, but did you and Mason…”
Laney’s eyes flutter shut. “Nate?—”
“Seriously, I’m not trying to get in your business. It’s just he left so suddenly, and I know you guys…” I clear my throat. “You know.”
“Nate, we’ve known each otherhowmany years? Just say it.”
It takes a moment to work up the nerve to say what I mean, even with the invitation. But once I chew the words in my mouth, I’m able to speak. “It can’t be easy to have to see him around here. Even if you’re working with me. And I hope I’m not making things even weirder.”
Laney sits on the edge of the bed.
I wish I could invite her to slide up just a bit closer so I could touch her.
“You’re not. It’s a…weird situation.” She places her hand on my shin.
Her touch always comes through despite the numbness.
“I think we’ve been doing okay, though. Unless I’ve been making you uncomfortable.”
“No!” My tone comes out more urgent than I mean to. “Not at all. I don’t wanthimmaking you uncomfortable.”
“He’s your best friend,” she says with a light, sad laugh.
“Yeah, but…”
Bro code sucks. It’s always sucked. And you know what? It’s fake.
Ever since I found out my own father was going after my ex, I had to reevaluate everything.
There was no reason to stop between Sonia and him, not when they were so happy. Not when they both had fought so hardnotto hurt me.
Surely, Mason could be happy for me, couldn’t he?
Sonia broke my heart, Laney broke his. Maybe it’s sort of the same.
Or maybe I’m just justifying being a shitty person to my best friend.
Maybe I’m an asshole just like I thought my father was.
Then again, I’ve seen how my dad has grown. It took him almost half a century, though. That’s not an optimistic outlook.
“I wouldn’t be where I am without you,” I finally say. “Walking or…close to it.”
Laney tilts her head to the side, her blonde hair collecting on her shoulder. “You would have had another therapist who would have been just as good and–”
“No, not just as good. You’re the very best.”
She blushes. “You’re ridiculous.”
“Maybe.” I extend my hand out toward her.
Laney eyes my hand for a moment before grazing my palm with hers.
Fireworks burst through me to my groin.
I withhold a long, needy sigh. I pull her closer, just a bit so there’s still a respectable distance.
