Page 57 of Fractured

She smiled dreamily into her glass. “Yeah. Yeah, I think it is getting serious. We’re already exclusive and spending most of our free time together.”

Shit, shit, shit.

“Have you gotten to spend any time with his friends? You know, to really feel out who he is as a person?”

“Of course,” she said with a sniff. “I’ve met several. We met one of his friends at the speakeasy. You remember the bartender? Kenzo?”

If my eyes didn’t bug out of my head, it would have been a miracle.

“I see that you do. God, he’s such a hottie. If I wasn’t already with Brett, I would totally take him home.”

And now jealousy clawed at my throat.

“I would totally set you up with him, but he recently started seeing someone. He hasn’t brought her around, so I can’t tell you if she’s got any staying power. I’ll keep on the lookout though.” She lifted her glass before finishing it off. “Here, I’ll go refill our glasses.”

When she disappeared through the door, I texted Kenzo.

Me: Question. Is Brett still bringing girls by the bar, or has that stopped?

Please, please say that it has, I chanted to myself as I watched the three dots signaling his typing.

Kenzo: Do you want me to lie to you?

I rubbed at my left eye, willing the text to change to something else. But every time I glanced at it, the words were still the same.

Me: She said you’ve been seeing someone…

I didn’t even know where I was trying to go with this conversation, but something snapped when I read his text. It brought a bit of pettiness to my heart I’d never experienced before.

Kenzo: Yes…you. And my other non-lover boyfriends. Say the word, and I’ll introduce you to them as my girlfriend. We can even take it slow before introducing our group. You just seemed private, and I wanted you to be sure about me first before we got complicated.

Me: We’re already complicated.

Kenzo: True, true. Your call, Lilith. If you want, I’ll invite them over for drinks tonight and you can be there with me to greet them. I’d love to show you off.

The little smile curling the corners of my mouth would not be kept away. It was like he knew exactly how to lighten my mood and make me feel wanted all at the same time. Still…

Me: No, I’m not ready for that yet. Sorry. I’m in a weird spot right now in my head. We can talk about it later.

Kenzo: Okay ??

“What put that goofy ass grin on your face? And don’t tell me it’s not a man. I’ve known you for too many years, and there’s nothing else that would make you smile that way.” Harper dropped into her seat, a fully expectant look on her face.

I opened my mouth just to spill my secrets to her, not only because she was my friend, but I hated lying to her about something good in my life. There was enough of the bad that she’d hopefully never know.

Then thoughts of what Kenzo told me about Brett stopped me.

“Maybe. Listen, it’s complicated. There’re some things I’m trying to figure out for myself, but when I do, I’ll tell you everything. I promise.” I finished off the last of my food, savoring the spicy tang of the sauce, while she rotated the glass in her hand.

“But…”

“No buts. I just need a little time to figure out what I want right now.” Lie, lie, lie. I was going to hell for being such a liar. “Actually, there is one thing. You’re my best friend, and who knows where I would be without you. Brett seems like a nice guy, but you deserve the best. Just don’t go too fast, okay? And vet everything. With both of our pasts, we should absolutely do everything to make sure the men in our lives are what they say they are.”

Her eyes widened in shock. “I… Of course. I love you, Lilith. You’ve never believed in yourself the way I have, but whatever is going on in your life, complicated or not, I think it’s good for you.”

It was. But was I good for them?

With everything inside me, I wanted to be.

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