Page 43 of About That Night

I add a yoga position emoji.

I’m here if you need anyone to talk to.

Starting my car, I smile at his latest text.

Thank you.

My screen lights up. It’s Hank calling.

“Hello?”

“I also just got a shipment of fresh oysters to experiment with if you’re interested in being a part of my test kitchen.”

I have him on speaker so I can drive, and I grimace, then wonder if I grimaced too loud. It’s a sweet offer. But…oysters? The thought makes me shudder. “I don’t think I like oysters.”

“You don’t like them, or you haven’t tried them?”

“Both.”

Hank laughs. “It can’t be both. Get your ass over here.”

“Get my ass where?” A notification appears on the top of my phone screen. Another message from the dating app.

Josiah is with Nevaeh, but I know she has plans to meet up with one of her own dating app matches later.

“My place. Oysters. Bring Josiah if you need to. I need a wide test audience.”

“You want a four-year-old to try oysters?”

“Why not? Kids are bougie as hell these days.”

“Maybe tourist kids in New Orleans, but not my kid. He’ll probably gag. I’ll probably gag.”

“We’re not talking about you. We’re talking about him. And if you try it, he’ll be willing to try it. It’s all about being open to new experiences.”

He has me there. “If I need to spit it out, are you going to be offended?”

There’s a pause, and I realize about a heartbeat too late how that sounds. Hank gives a choked laugh. “You can always spit over swallowing, Chas. That’s your right.”

I groan. “This is why I can’t be allowed to roam free on a dating app.”

“It’s funny when we’re just friends. I would call any friend out and give them a hard time about a comment like that. Don’t worry about it.” He adds, “Bring Nevaeh too.”

“She has a date.”

“Tell her to bring her date. I’ll tell Conway to come over too. A free tasting party.”

It does sound fun. Casual. “Okay. We’ll be there.”

After we end the call and I pull into my driveway, I check my notifications. Chad has messaged me again, which is ridiculous. I don’t think I could have made it any clearer I’m not interested. I ignore him.

There’s a message from Dylan confirming our dinner plans.

I’ve also made plans for a coffee meet-up with Nick, the guy Hank thought was too young, but who is my age.

I respond to Dylan, “Looking forward to it!”

But I’m not sure I am.

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