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"That was part of the reason," Brady agrees, "but I also knew you'd call me out on my shit."
I shake my head slowly. "If I didn't call you out on your shit when we were sneaking around behind Maya's back, why would you think I'd do it now?"
Our food arrives, halting the conversation. The waitress asks us if we need anything else. At the exact same time, Brady and I both say, "Ranch."
I ignore the charged second our eyes lock. Big deal. We said the same word at the same time.
"I thought," Brady blows out a tired breath when the waitress leaves, "that you still hated me."
"Who says I don't?" I narrow my eyes.
"Do you?"
I grab a fry and take a bite, pretending to mull over his words. "I hate that you strung me along but no, I don't hate you, Brady. I hate the way you made me feel and I hate that I put up with it. But I don't know if it's possible for me to hate someone I once loved."
"I'm pretty sure Maya hates me," Brady tries to lighten the mood.
"Well, you cheated on her and then ended things when your former lover ran off to California because she couldn't take it anymore," I hitch my shoulder.
Brady laughs. "Former lover? Come on, Iz, give yourself more credit than that."
"Oh, right," I nod. "I am the love of your life. And the reason you bought the Glorious Pig."
He smiles wide. "Yes."
I don't know what to say after that. This lunch is making things more complicated—more confusing—than they were before.
But if working for an ex means eating burgers and joking about the past, then I guess we're doing it right.
"Can I ask you a question?" I say between bites.
"You can ask me anything, Iz."
"Did you ever take Maya rock climbing or bungee jumping?"
He shakes his dark head. "No, never."
"Why not?"
Brady tilts his head to the side. "Because I only wanted to do those things with you."
"I see."
"Did you ever do those things with Steve?" Brady flips the question on me.
"Nope," I smirk. "The extent of our adventuring was playing volleyball on the beach with a group of college students. Steve liked to play video games."
"Maya liked to online shop," Brady chuckles. "And couple's massages at the spa."
"I don't know how people undress and let a stranger rub their naked body for an hour," I shudder. "It grosses me out."
"It grosses me out, too."
"It's settled then," I sigh. "You will not be gifting me a massage for my Christmas present."
Brady shakes his head playfully at me. "What am I supposed to get you now?"
I stare down at my wrist. "I really could use an expensive watch to go with my earrings."
