Page 172 of Movers and Shakers

“Yes,” Tom said. “We’ve been through a lot together, and no matter how much you say you want to be alone, we know you still care. Why else would you have come to those stupid dinners?”

“But—‍”

“No buts,” Ruth interrupted. “We love you, Barry. Nothing you say can change that.”

My mouth snapped shut. The words hit hard, harder than I ever thought possible.

“Is this why you’ve not told us about Wilfred?” Ruth’s voice was soft.

“I just thought it would add insult to injury if I said I liked him. Especially since he’s nothing like Todd.”

“There’s no anger at all,” Tom reassured.

“If he’s a good guy, why would we be anything but happy?”

“I don’t know. Maybe you’d be jealous or something.”

I couldn’t look either of them in the eye, so I looked at the floor, begging that this be the one time that they were not like me.

“We would never be jealous,” Tom said. “Do I wish Todd had been different? Sure. But that doesn’t change the fact that you have something better.”

“And we’re not shit out of luck anyway. We’vemadebetter families. We’re not bitter because you have someone better who’s related to you. It’s far easier just to behappyfor you.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. The competition is over. It’s time to live now.”

“I wasn’t a competitor.”

“No, but you saw it. And you walked on eggshells for far too long because of it.”

I closed my eyes. I needed to hear what they were saying more than anything, but it stillhurtto talk about our past.

“Are you—‍” Tom began.

“I’mnotcrying. Just give me a second.”

It took far longer than a second, but eventually, I was able to breathe again.

“I like Wilfred,” I admitted. “A lot. I should probably see him now that I’m back in town.”

“Definitely,” Ruth agreed. “And you can invite him to family dinner! We’d love to meet him.”

“Just no text chains. The man absolutely cannot text.”

“Aw, why is that kind of adorable?” Ruth asked.

“Because it is. He’s a dork, but he’s my dad, so . . . he’s not all that bad.”

Tom only laughed. He sat on the office’s extra chair and Ruth leaned forward at her desk, asking me more about him. I gave in, deciding not to be alone with my thoughts for once and to enjoy the company of the two people I’d waited so long for.

Barry: Hey. How are you? Maybe we can meet up soon?

Wilfred: Is there a way I can come see all your hard work on your bar?

Barry: Sure. When?

Wilfred: Tomrrwo?

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