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“So, these,” Nova said, plopping a small plate in front of Ben, “are fucking delicious. I don’t really believe in God or anything, but I’m willing to sign up just for the food.”
Ben stared down at the little triangles and laughed. They were hamantaschen, and they looked like they could rival any bakery his mom had ever shopped at. The corners were perfectly folded, and the jam looked like it came straight out of a food magazine.
His heart beat a little harder as he smiled. “Judaism doesn’t really proselytize, but we love sharing food, so you’re welcome at all the feasts. Plus, I’m also an atheist, so I couldn’t in good conscience encourage you to convert.”
“But I did good on the Chanukah cookie?” Nova wheedled.
Ben laughed and fought the urge to pull Nova into his arms. He had a feeling Nova’s hugs would feel…not just good. They’d feel like something he didn’t have words for, and he had no business thinking about that right then when he was minutes away from a date. “These are actually for a different holiday.”
Nova groaned and slapped a hand over his face. “Seriously?”
“Yes,” Ben said and gave in to his urge, reaching for Nova’s wrist to give it a gentle squeeze. “But they’re one of my favorites, so thank you.”
Nova smiled as he slid into the second chair made of uncomfortable plastic and leaned forward, spreading his legs so he could rest his forearms over his thighs. “What holiday are those for?”
Ben picked up one of the cookies. “Purim. It’s in the spring and a lot more fun.”
“I’m sorry Chanukah doesn’t come with better cookies,” Nova said, watching Ben nibble on a corner. “Or more fun.”
The hamantaschen were buttery and soft and sweet—very different from the ones his mom always cobbled together at the last minute. “You could make a killing if you sold these,” Ben mused. “My mom pays ridiculous amounts of money to not have to bake.”
Nova chuckled softly and shook his head. “That feels…wrong? Being that I’m an atheist who grew up Catholic…which is what? The opposite of Jewish?”
Ben snorted as he finished off the cookie, then swiped his hands on his pants. “Not sure there’s an opposite. But I think at this point in her life, my mom wouldn’t care. She’d definitely make you come to dinner and probably make you entertain all the kids.”
Nova gave him a cautious look. “Your kids?”
Ben nearly choked on his own tongue. “God, no. No. I don’t…no. I can barely take care of myself these days, and considering how my last relationship went…” He trailed off with a shudder at the very thought of being stuck in Taylor’s life as a co-parent.
Nova gave him a look of sympathy. “Sorry. For what it’s worth, I get it. I mean, I don’t. I have no relationship with my parents and couldn’t keep a partner for longer than a few weeks, but I get the whole disaster thing.”
Ben laughed softly, feeling a little better. “Thanks for this.”
Nova gave a single, short nod. “It looked like you needed something sweet.”
Ben groaned and sat back, rubbing his face again. His nose was a little sore, but that was nothing compared to the ache in his chest. “I ran into my ex’s affair partner on the way to my car.”
Nova grimaced. “Oh. Yikes.”
“Big yikes,” Ben agreed. “He was trying to apologize for fucking him behind my back for several months. Which I know he’s not. He’s just sorry they were stupid enough to fuck in my car and get caught.”
“Good God,” Nova breathed out. “They fucked in yourcar?”
“Former car,” Ben quickly clarified. “Amongst other places, I’m assuming, but that’s where I saw them going at it. They were probably in my office a few times, too, since Chris was my TA and we shared the space.”
Nova blinked at him. “Did you knock him out?”
Ben laughed and shook his head. “No. I think he might have wanted me to? He asked if I was going to hit him when he stopped me tonight.”
“That sounds like a free pass,” Nova pointed out.
Ben’s smile faded. “I don’t think I want to be that guy. And it feels worse, maybe, making him stew in his own regret. He seemed kind of desperate for me to believe he was sorry.”
“Are they still together?” Nova asked, some hesitation in his voice.
Ben thought the question might hurt more, but there was just the dull ache left behind. “Probably. His reasoning was that he and Taylor were—are—in love. Whatever. I didn’t ask for details.”
Nova scoffed. “You seriously should have hit him.”
