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“Aren’t you meant to be on vacation?” I grumble.
“Sounds like youare,” Lewis replies.
Lewis has been working with me at my firm for a long time. We even started at the same time, though my lineage meant that our routes were a little different. While he specialized in accounts, I worked my way up the ladder in corporate.
When he and Jessi started dating, I kept expecting to be angry about it—after all, Lewis was at our wedding.
But at the end of the day, he was a good guy, and he made Jessi happy. He treated the kids well. I couldn’t really ask for a better new boyfriend for my ex-wife.
“How’re the kids?” I ask, knowing that their trip is nearly done.
Lewis’ smile is evident even over the phone. “They’re great! We’ve been taking lots of pictures for you.”
It’s strange having my family on a family vacation that has nothing to do with me. It’s perfectly within their right—we aren’t that kind of family anymore. But it’s still… strange.
“I’m looking forward to it,” I say. It’s true, at least. “You guys getting up to anything?”
“Angie has been playing lots of snow mermaid,” Lewis tells me. “She’s, in fact, playing lots ofWe’re All Secret Mermaids,but everyone is in denial except for her, which is a unique version of the game, for sure.”
I laugh. “Benji must love that.”
“Benji was exiled from the mermaid kingdom day three.”
I grin. We’re closing in on the office, and I want this moment, laughing with my close friend about my wonderful and strange kids, to last longer.
“How have you been, man? Up to anything while the kids were gone?”
I think of Laura. “No,” I lie. “Just… the usual.”
“Bullshit!”
I blink in surprise. “Excuse me?”
“You’re a terrible liar,” Lewis tells me.
I am offended. “I most certainly am not.”
“What’s her name?” Lewis teases.
“Boss, we’re here,” Damon’s voice interrupts.
I sigh in relief. Saved by the bell.
“It’s nothing,” I reply. “Just… I mean, it might be something. She’s… well, I just don’t know. It’s complicated.”
Lewis whistles. “I’ll expect an update.”
“Man, leave me alone,” I laugh. Lewis chuckles. “I’m at the office. Give my love to Jessi and tell the kids they could do their old man a solid and give me a call sometime, huh?”
“I’ll pass it on,” Lewis agrees. “Wait, Dave—just… If you do like this woman, why not give it a try? It’s been a long time. Some things are worth complicated.”
“Thanks.” It’s awkward, getting dating advice from the man with my ex, but I know his intentions are good.
As I’m getting out of the car, I see Laura pull up. Her car is an old beater, and she’s driving too fast. It makes my heart beat too fast. She sings along to whatever song is playing and she takes a sharp turn to find a parking spot.
And, well. Ithasbeen a long time.
Maybe some things are worth it.
