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Seems like he can’t look at me. “Just need to get out the city. Been cooped up for so long. So, I’m going to be missing a couple guys’ nights. And the Knicks, unfortunately.”
I adjust my beer bottle between my legs. “What are you doing up there?”
Nate blinks. “Relaxing. Unwinding.”
I narrow my eyes. “You’re going alone?”
We stare at each other for a long moment.
And then I get the answer that I didn’t want but knew was coming.
“Laney’s coming with me,” Nate utters.
Both Jack and Seth freeze, as if all the air has left us all. We look like the characters on old western movies where everyone is bracing for the inevitable duel at sunrise.
I take a sip. “That’s nice of her.”
“I have a feeling that’s not what you really mean.”
I laugh, though it’s raw and painful in my throat. “Well, I can’t say I’m jumping up and down at the idea of you and my ex-girlfriend going to a remote cabin together.”
“She’s my nurse, Mason.”
“She was my ex-girlfriend first.” And before that, the love of my fucking life. Still is. Doesn’t Nate treat anything as sacred?
Nate shakes his head. “Times have changed.”
“Yeah, I guess they have.”
The room is quiet.
“So, what are we thinking for dessert…?” Seth starts to get up from the couch.
I narrow my gaze on Nate. “Just tell me the truth, man.” It’s now or never. I haven’t been this brave so far. I just need to know. “You trying to make a move on her?”
Nate shakes his head. “Mason…”
“All it requires is a yes or a no. You’re going to be spending,what, two weeks alone with her–” Christ,two fucking weeks?That’s how people fall in love. No one’s eyes to look into but each other’s. “You can’t tell me that there isn’t a part of you that’s trying to make something happen.”
My friend hesitates just long enough for me to determine anything he says next is a lie. “That’s not the point of the trip.”
“But you’re not against it.” I snap my fingers and point at him. “Admit it. You’re trying to get with Laney.”
Jack sits forward a bit. “Guys, we don’t need a repeat of Nate’s thirtieth, huh?”
Nate’s attention stays fully on me. “I didn’t say that.”
“You didn’tnotsay that either.”
Seth runs his hands over his face. “Oh my god, guys, there are literally millions–billionsof women in the world. Laney is not the end all be all. Why don’t we all just make a pact that none of us–”
“Bullshit.” Nate gets up and paces for a second before sitting back down.
And if I didn’t know before, I know now. “You’re going for it, aren’t you?”
“Mason, you don’t own her.”
“No, I don’t, but you–” If I speak too fast, I’ll trip over my words. Best be measured. Calm. “You were there when everything fell apart. You know how she broke my heart.”
