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Chuckling, I tap out a reply:
Me: I’m still in Seattle. I was supposed to leave tomorrow morning, but I’ll change my flight.
Josh: Good boy.
As I put down my phone, Hannah asks, “Why is it such a big deal for Jonas to sing?”
“He’s an introvert, through and through. Also, kind of . . . How shall I put this? Serious? Intense? Humorless? Jonas absolutely abhors being the center of attention.”
“And he’s Josh’s twin?”
“Fraternal.”
“Ah.”
“They’re nothing alike. At least, not in any obvious ways. Josh got all their gene pool’s extroversion and Jonas got all its intensity.”
Our phones ping again. This time, it’s Kat giving details—when and where—about tomorrow’s karaoke night. As Hannah leans back into her chair and engages Kat in a text exchange, I open my airline app and change my flight. When I flash Hannah a thumbs-up, signaling I’ve successfully accomplished my task, Hannah concludes her conversation with Kat, and we return to our meal.
“More wine?” I ask.
“Thank you.”
I pour, and we both take long sips.
“I’m so happy for Kat,” Hannah says. “Josh flying into Seattle two days early to see her is no small thing.” She drags her fork through the remnants of her food. “During lunch with Kat today, she said she’s been counting the minutes until Josh’s arrival on Saturday. I can only imagine how thrilled she was when he unexpectedly showed up tonight.” Hannah bites her lip. Is she fishing for me to divulge something—anything—Josh might have told me about his feelings for Kat?
If so, it’s a tall order. The truth is Josh has been pretty tight-lipped about Kat. All I know is that he flew her to LA this past weekend so they could start fulfilling each other’s sexual fantasies. I do think it’s a good sign he wanted to see Kat past Vegas. Also, that he flew in early to Seattle, too. But with Josh Faraday and women, you never fucking know, so I’m not sure I can accurately read the tea leaves here. Even if Josh is feeling something extraordinary with Kat, his feelings could change on a dime. Often, the minute Josh starts feeling something real, that’s when he dips, so I wouldn’t want to say something Hannah might pass along to Kat, which might then get Kat’s hopes up too high about her future with Josh.
The silence at our small table has become awkward. Clearly, I was supposed to fill it some time ago, and I didn’t.
Hannah clears her throat. “Did Josh tell you he’s going to meet Kat’s entire family on Saturday night?”
My jaw drops. “No, he didn’t mention that. Is that for sure?”
Hannah’s beaming as she nods. “Kat said he’s coming to dinner at her parents’ house and all her brothers will be there. She’s over the moon.”
“Holy fucking shit. That’s huge. I can’t remember Josh ever doing that before. He’s incidentally met a girl’s parents or siblings here and there—like, at a charity auction or gala—but doing it on purpose at a girl’s parents’ house is definitely a first.”
Hannah is visibly giddy. “Josh must really think Kat is special, then.”
“It sure seems like it.”
Hannah bites her lower lip. “Has Josh said anything to you about what he’s feeling for Kat?”
I take a sip of my wine, considering my response. I want it to be accurate, of course, but I also don’t want what I say getting back to Kat and creating false expectations. “I know Josh really likes Kat,” I say carefully. “I know he lights up in a way I’ve never seen before when he’s with her.”
“Oh my gosh.”
“But I also know Josh is a complicated dude, especially in terms of his romantic entanglements. He’s normally allergic to any kind of commitment with women. Well, with anything. Usually, he won’t even commit to plans for next week.”
Hannah takes a sip of wine. “Maybe he’s turning over a new leaf.”
“Maybe,” I agree, but even as I say it, I’m not sure I buy it.
Hannah sighs. “Long distance relationships can be really hard. Or so I’ve heard. Seems like Josh is motivated to make it work with Kat, though.”
Hmm. Is Hannah still fishing for information to pass along to her bestie, or is she hinting she’s worried about how we’ll manage a long-distance relationship? I’ve certainly been wondering about that very thing myself. Before I leave Seattle on Thursday morning, will Hannah agree to be my girlfriend? Will we make a firm plan to see each other again? I’m dying to talk about that stuff now, but I’m nervous to be the one to initiate those sorts of conversations, in case it’s too early. I feel wholly ready to commit to Hannah now. To say “I love you” and know it’s the truth. Hell, I feel ready to start planning a life together. But I’m not stupid enough to think Hannah could possibly be ready to do all that, too, after only one full week together.
