Page 82 of The ABCs of You & Me

“Depends. What’s the role entail?”

“Watching a game here or there, the odd trip to a bar to not talk about feelings, and occasionally reaching for something on a high shelf.”

“Hmm,” Foster contemplates. “Can we throw in you reaching for stuff on the ground?”

“Seems fair.” Davis shoots a hand out, and they shake.

Yasmine and Maya look over at me, absolutely beaming. “It’s going well,” Maya mouths.

“I wish Miguel was here.” Yas sighs. “Soon though,” she adds happily.

I wasn’t worried about things not going well. Foster is one of those guys everyone likes. The kind your friends beg you to stay with so they don’t have to choose between the two of you if it ends. I had to try so hard with Gregory despite the accomplishments of my friends. They weren’t at his “level,” and he always seemed a bit like he smelled something off the entire time we’d be out. But heaven forbid I didn’t invite him. I’d hear about it for days. About how I should want him there with me, that’s what couples do, they go out together. And every time I’d feel awful and invite him the next time, and with each outing my friends said less and less while the looks became more and more concerned. It wasn’t only me walking on eggshells around him, it was everyone.

“Hey.” Foster’s light touch on my cheek has me turning and blinking in his direction. Visions of Gregory fade, and in their place it’s just Foster.

“Hi,” I say quietly.

“You okay?”

“Mm-hmm,” I hum, forcing a smile.

“Great, tell the poor guy what you want to eat,” Yas says, and I look up to see our server smiling awkwardly at me.

“Oh, shit, sorry. I was miles away. I’ll have the eggs Florentine, please.”

“With breakfast potatoes or greens?”

“Serious question.” I lean forward. “Does anyone ever say the greens?”

He thinks. “Happens occasionally.”

“Well, today isn’t going to be an occasion.”

“Good choice. And for you, sir?” He turns his focus to Foster.

“I’m going to have the chicken and waffles please, but with the hot sauce on the side.”

“Sure.”

“Also, I’ll get a side of the potatoes. I’m assuming they’re great since everyone got them.”

“You’d assume correctly.”

Once the server leaves, Yasmine updates us on her wedding and how Miguel is doing.

“That reminds me, will you be back to two for your RSVP?” Yas eyes Foster.

“Oh, um, I don’t know. Do you want to go to a wedding with me?”

Foster looks at me like I’ve lost it. Like I’ve done the impossible and asked a stupid question. “I want to go everywhere with you,” he says matter-of-factly, tucking that stubborn lock of hair back behind my ear, causing everyone at the table to sigh, including Davis. The combination of his words and the graze of his fingers has me tightening my hand around my water glass as my body reacts in a not-so-appropriate manner.

I can feel my face heat, and I know my blush is visible to everyone around me. There are probably satellites registering it this very minute.

He plays his role well. Some woman is going to be wildly happy one day.

Could be me, a hopeful little voice comes to life.

“It’s at a winery in Niagara,” Yas says dreamily. “We wanted to keep it small and simple. Good food, good wine, no pressure. Miguel has even seen me in my dress,” she laughs.

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