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I lifted a brow. “You think you’re broken or something?”
“I honestly don’t know, man. The last couple of women I slept with, it was like I couldn’t get out of their apartments fast enough. I’d have given anything to want to stay—to stay up all night and talk, to not be able to get enough of a person. I feel like I might be ready for that with the right person, but I haven’t come across anyone who makes me feel that way.” He paused. “You know, the way you seem to feel about Lala.”
I shook my head. “I’d rather be in your predicament than feel this way and not be able to do anything about it. I miss the days where I felt nothing. I truly do.” I groaned. “I can’t wait to feel nothing again.”
“We’re on two different ends of the spectrum at the moment.” Owen looked at his watch. “Shit. We’d better get to Colby’s. We’re late.”
I’d nearly forgotten about our dinner plans. “Speaking of which, any clue what the hell this is all about?” I asked.
Colby and Billie had invited us over and specifically requested that we try not to bail—because for some unknown reason, it was important that we all be together tonight. That made me wonder if something was up. I had my suspicions.
“No clue,” Owen said. “I guess we’re about to find out.”
When we arrived at our friends’ apartment, the smell of garlic bread wafted in the air. There were five large pizza boxes stacked on the dining room table and some wine set out. Colby and Billie’s place was definitely lived-in. Between Saylor’s toys strewn about and Billie’s art everywhere, it was hard to believe Colby had once been the most quintessential bachelor among us.
Little Saylor came running toward me. “Holden! You need to come see Guinevere. She’s getting so fat!”
I smiled at the mention of the guinea pig I’d given her.
Colby chided, “Yeah, Holden, why don’t you clean up the cage while you’re at it? Thanks again for that gift, by the way.”
“The gift that keeps on giving.” I winked. “Anytime, my dude.”
After a quick jaunt to Saylor’s room to say hello to Guinevere, I returned to the living room. Owen had taken off his jacket and rolled up the sleeves of his collared shirt as he made himself comfortable, noshing on the chips and salsa laid out on the coffee table.
Brayden made his entrance a few seconds later. “Okay, so what’s this all about?” he asked. “Random Friday-night dinners are a rarity. Something you want to tell us, Colby?”
“Wait. Is everyone here?” Colby asked, turning to Billie. “Didn’t you say Lala might come?”
The hairs on the back of my neck stood to attention at the mention of her name. For some reason, it hadn’t occurred to me that she might show up.
“Actually, Lala can’t make it. So we’re going to have to go ahead without her. But she already knows.”
Knows what?
“Alright, guys.” Colby clapped his hands together and took a deep breath. “We told Saylor right before you got here, and we’re gonna let her do the honors because she’s been so excited to share.” He turned to his daughter. “Saylor, what do we have to tell your uncles?”
She hopped up and down and squealed. “I’m gonna be a big sister!”
I beamed. That’s what I’d suspected. I was relieved that it wasn’t some kind of bad news.
Brayden’s eyes practically bugged out of his head. “No freaking way!”
Owen grinned. “Congratulations, guys!”
“I knew it.” I hugged Billie.
“You did, huh?”
“I suspected, yeah. Congratulations, Mama.”
“Thank you, Holden.”
I opened my arms to hug Colby next. “And you, sir…well done.”
He patted me on the back. “Thanks, man. We’re over the moon.”
I couldn’t have been happier for my friends. Colby and Billie were perfect for each other, despite appearing to be total opposites. When they’d met, even I was surprised that my spunky tattoo artist had gone for my straight-laced, single-dad friend as opposed to, well, me. I always said they were like yin and yang. And even though Billie had truly become a mother to Saylor, whose birth mom had bailed, it was cool that she and Colby would have a biological child of their own. Speaking of yin and yang, I used to always associate that term with Colby and Billie. But it now also reminded me of Lala and me. She and I were true opposites, and that might have been part of the intense attraction between us. Still didn’t mean I was right for her. But there’s no doubt that opposites attract. Basically, I wanted to yin her with my yang—and that was precisely the problem.
With the big announcement out of the way, we all sat down to eat. The mood was jovial, with everyone speculating about the gender and tossing around name options. I couldn’t help wondering why Lala had chosen not to be here.
