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He considers this. “Laura does.”
I hear the question.
I look down, my hands white with how tight I’m gripping a pen. I release it. “It’s undetermined if a junior employee will be required.”
Lewis frowns. “The board made it seem like there’s no role here for me, if not this one.”
“Your position is secure,” I assure him. “The board would have to fire us both.”
Lewis relaxes only minutely. “But the promotion?”
I sigh. “Currently, that oneistied to the new location, as far as I’m aware. As you know, because of the relationship with Jessi, I’m only permitted to recommend you.”
“I know.” Lewis, in fact, had insisted upon this when he first got serious with my ex-wife.
“The kids might like France,” I say.
Lewis smiles. “Angie would love it.”
I laugh. He grins, and for a moment, it feels like we really are family.
“So, while I’m here,” he says, leaning back in his chair. He crosses one leg and grabs hold of his knee, still smiling widely. “Valentine’s Day.”
I lean forward. “If you also bought Angie a daisy oil painting, we’re going to have a problem.”
Lewis laughs. “The one from the auction?” He bursts into a peel of giggles, pulling out his phone. “I’m texting Jessi. Shetoldme you’d be bidding on that for her.”
I shrug. “Predictable is better than forgetful.”
“I was hoping to take Jessi and the kids up to this cabin,” Lewis says. He holds out his phone, and I accept it. He’s opened it to an internet page on the cabin. “It looks very nice. Secluded but near enough to things that there’s no real survival necessary. Benji had mentioned liking being out of the city, and this looks so much like my grandma’s old place. It’s where Laura and I spent most Christmases growing up.”
My throat feels full. “I assumed you and Jessi would be doing something alone.”
“Typically,” he says, nodding. “But…” Lewis takes a deep breath and then nods at me. “This year, I’m going to propose.”
My jaw goes slack.
Technically, this isn’t ahugesurprise. I’d been anticipating it for a while now, and I know that they really love one another.
“I’m…” My voice dies. I clear my throat, standing up. “I’m happy for you, man.”
We hug, short and brief, and when I pull back, he’s grinning at me.
His grin is Laura’s, and my heart breaks even further.
This marriage… What does this mean for Laura and I?
There is no Laura and I, I remind myself harshly.The other night was a fluke. All of this is a fluke, and it’s ending.
Lewis’ face is nervous. “So?”
“So?” I frown.
He waves a hand. “Valentine’s Day. The cabin?”
“Oh! I mean… I normally like to be around for the kids, take them for something special. But if it’s important to you…”
I always take Benji and Angie out on Valentine’s Day, even before Jessi and I got a divorce. I like the idea of showing them both what to expect and how to act when they want to show they care about someone. The holiday might mostly be about romantic love, but I have always used it as an excuse to show them that men can be as tender as women.
