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“I’ve been to New York City before. There’s nothing I want to see there that I haven’t already seen. But this?” He gestures around as we step outside. “This is something I want to see.”
I squint into the early afternoon sun. It’s a beautiful day. Just warm enough that you don’t need a jacket, but still cool enough that you don’t feel like you’re melting. I love late spring in New York. That, and early fall. To me that’s when the weather is the nicest.
“So, how have you been?” I ask as we make our way down the sidewalk side by side. “We haven’t talked in a few weeks.”
“I’m good.” He keeps his gaze trained forward as he talks. “Dad and Katy are getting a divorce. Did I tell you that?”
“No?” I gape up at him. “Already? They’ve only been married less than a year, right?”
“Yep.” He chuckles. “But then again, who didn’t see that coming.”
“I bet your mom found a little humor in that news.”
“You could say that. Her and Aunt Jackie may have gone out drinking to celebrate.”
“Oh god.” I cover my mouth to muffle my laughter. “How is your mom doing, by the way? Are you guys liking the new house?”
The last time we spoke, he said she finally bought a place after living in an apartment since moving to Missouri. It’s in the same neighborhood as his aunt and uncle. And of course, Alec moved with her considering Lakend is only twenty minutes from the University of Missouri.
It seems weird thinking of him there without me, in the place where I grew up. In the place where nearly every single one of my memories takes place.
“It’s nice. More than she needs. I won’t be with her more than a couple more years. Then she’s going to be stuck in that big house all by herself.”
“You never know. Maybe she’ll meet someone.” I shrug.
“Doubtful. I think my father ruined men for her. I wouldn’t be surprised if she spends the rest of her life having never dated another man again.”
“Well, I hope that’s not the case. Everyone deserves to have someone.”
“Yeah.” His voice trails off and a few beats of silence pass between us. “What about you?”
“What about me?” I ask, not following his question.
“Do you have someone? In your life.”
“Are you asking me if I’m seeing anyone?” I’m a little taken aback by his question. In all the times we’ve spoken over the last couple of years, our dating lives have never been a topic that’s discussed. I think in a way I was too scared to ask because I didn’t want to know ifhewas seeing anyone.
“Yeah, I guess I am.”
“Are you seeing anyone?” I ask instead of answering.
“I’ve been on some dates over the past few months, but no, I’m not seeing anyone at the moment.” He follows me to the right, matching my slow strides.
“Me either,” I admit.
“Been on any dates?”
“A couple.” I downplay my answer. Truth be told, I had actually been seeing someone for about six months. Darren. We are part of the same program and share quite a few classes.
I really liked him, but after a while I couldn’t get over the fact that I felt no excitement with him. There was no passion. No butterflies. Eventually, we decided we were better off as friends. Well,Idecided.
“Anyone you want to tell me about?”
“Not really,” I admit. “Is there a reason we’re having this conversation?”
“No.” He shrugs. “Just curious about your life.”
“Well, it’s not very exciting.” I snort. “I pretty much do nothing but work and school. But then again, you already knew that.”
