Page 46 of Movers and Shakers

I couldn’t bring myself to regret it. Ruth was hilarious when she tried to be, and now that she was focused on living and not just working herself to death, I enjoyed it.

But I knew that I would never have this with Tom. He’d always been the kind of man to do his own thing.

Then again, so was I.

I didn’t like seeing the similarities. Being like him went against everything I’d set out to do. Moments like this were why I didn’t look too closely at him.

“He’ll figure it out,” I reassured. “I wouldn’t worry about it too much.”

“But he was the one around Dad the most. That did damage.”

“Poor him, being around Dad.”

“Yes,poor him.Imagine always being around those lectures. It’s awful.”

“Are you helping him, then?”

“Only because I forced my way in. You could do the same.”

“Not my style.”

“Come on, Barry. What if he needs us?”

“How about this,ifhe asks for help, I will help.” It was more than I would usually offer, but this wasRuth,and she seemed to genuinely care. “But I’m not the kind of person to do more, and besides, I doubt he’d want me to.”

“I guess I can agree to that,” Ruth said.

“Now, can we take a break from talking about Tom? I can only do so much family talk.”

“And yet you’re on the phone with your sister.Fine.What’s new in your life, Barry? Have Liam and Audrey gotten together yet?”

“No, but they’ve been around each other more since…” I trailed off. “Since I’ve been busy.”

“Busy with what?”

Lila Wilde.

“Nothing too important,” I said. “Don’t worry about it.”

“You know I will.”

“It isn’t a big deal. But I can’t talk about it. An NDA is in effect.”

“Oh, okay,” she said. “I fucking hate NDAs, but I can admit they’re useful. Will you tell me when it’s over?”

Lila’s NDA was very long-term. “Eventually.”

“I guess I’ll have to guess until then. You coming to the family dinner?”

It wasn’t withourfamily but with people Ruth met and liked. My skin still itched at the idea of another family dinner, regardless of who they were. I didn’t doubt that Ruth caredabout these people, but now that I was free, I wasn’t interested in returning. “Not this time. Maybe soon.”

“I’ll hold you to that. I promise it’ll be fun.”

I wanted to believe her, but the idea of a family was ruined for me a long time ago.

Chapter Nine

Lila

---