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“I thought you didn’t care about her,” he says.
I grip the pint glass in my hand. “You know I care about her I—” I stop myself from going further. Ben looks like a cat who caught the canary, but instead of indulging him, I dig for his information. “What is it, then?”
Ben and Wren make eyes at each other, then they both smile happily.
“I’m leaving with Wren when she goes back to Parker.”
That gets my full attention. “You’re leaving New York? I don’t understand.”
“I’m opening a gym there. Birdie’s going to be a silent partner and she managed to get a few others on board.”
I feel my heart pounding in my chest. “How long have you been working on this?”
He shrugs. “Not long. It all happened so fast. I’m going to look at spaces next week.”
“So, you’re moving?”
He places his hand over Wren’s on top of the table, a goofy lovesick look now plastered on his face. “Eventually. Things will take time, and of course I’ll still have a place here. I’ve got to train a manager and get things straight but at some point, yes. I’ll leave New York.”
I’m flabbergasted. “Wow, man. That’s huge.”
“I know it’s a lot but, I wanted to tell you and well—” his gaze goes back to Wren. “Show him, honey.”
Honey?
Before I can comment, Wren holds out her left hand to reveal a giant diamond ring. I think my mouth falls to the ground because they both chuckle at my reaction.
“What the hell, dude?!” I exclaim, unable to say anything else.
“I’ve had that ring for years,” Ben pauses. “Tonight just felt right and…”
Wren interjects, “We realized a lot recently, and the only thing stopping us from being together is distance. Our rock star friend helped with that.”
An ache cracks through my chest. What Birdie did for the two people before me makes me love her even more. For the last ten years I’ve watched Ben go back and forth on his relationship with Wren. I’ve seen him get angry, cry, laugh, and everything in between. I knew they’d end up together, but I also knew he’d been struggling hard with it as of late.Fuck. I’ve been a shit friend. I’m glad Birdie has been there for them since I haven’t been.
I stand and surprise Wren by hugging her tightly. “Congrats, Wrennie. I’m so happy for you both.”
She laughs, but I can hear the emotion behind it. “Don’t start with that name again.”
I sit back down then reach my hand out to Ben. He takes it in his strong grip. “I can’t believe you finally did it. Proud of you, man.”
Ben smiles, but he’s watching me carefully.
When he pulls his hand back he says, “You’re not upset?”
“Of course not. I’ve been waiting for you both to figure your shit out.”
He studies me carefully. “Have you now.”
I nod. “I’ll hate not having you here, but I knew it would happen someday. Though I always secretly wished you’d move here, Wren.”
Ben slings his arm around her shoulders and kisses her temple. My hands suddenly itch to hold Birdie in my arms again. My mouth goes dry, and my hands turn cold. Regret rushes through me and I can’t help the sadness that hits me. Damn it, I’m such a mess.
Wren lets out a noise of protest. “I could never live here long term. I like the calm of Parker. This place is too much for me.”
I let out a breath. “It can be.”
For a moment there’s silence, and then Wren puts her hand on mine. I look up into her emerald eyes. “Liam,” she says quietly.
