Page 43 of Books and Hookups

“Thirty-three.”

He fisted two wineglasses, tucked a bottle of wine under his arm, and lifted his club soda. “Oh.”

He stared straight ahead as he walked back to our table, where Carly and Andrew sat with their heads together. When I sat across from her, Carly scooted away from her boyfriend, her cheeks red.

“No canoodling,” I said. “Save it for when you get home.”

“PDA is allowed on date night,” Carly said.

“Remind me to stop joining you on your date nights,” I grumbled.

Danny poured wine for Carly and Andrew, then sat down.

Andrew raised his glass. “To new friends.”

We echoed him. Was Danny really a friend like I’d told Dr. Cheema? He was a neighbor, and we’d be co-parents soon. It’d probably be easier if he and I were friends. But integrating him into my friend group sounded complicated. Especially when Carly and Andrew shared the kind of intimacy that made me uncomfortable. The kind that required allowing yourself to be vulnerable and imperfect.

“How’s your book coming, Lucie?” Andrew asked.

“I had a couple of good phone interviews this week. The premise is coming together.” But my writing wasn’t. I hadn’t been able to tie the interviews together in a way that spoke to me yet. Thinking about how little time I had made my heart race. “I think I can finish the first draft within three months, then revise it before…you know.”

It felt like everyone’s gaze dropped to my midsection, and I put a hand over it.

Danny cleared his throat. “I’m constantly amazed that Lucie works a full-time job while writing a book. I could never be that smart or organized.”

I side-eyed him. He’d never struck me as unintelligent or disorganized. In fact, he seemed to run the bar most nights while Barb chatted up the regulars. But I said nothing.

Carly asked, “You work here at the bar, Danny?”

Before he could answer, Leo strode up to the table. “An amuse-bouche of seared scallops with prosciutto and sage.”

He set the plate of four ham-wrapped jumbo scallops in the center of the table.

“Yeah,” Danny said, “I’ve worked here since I was eighteen. I started as a dishwasher. Over the years, Barb’s been good to me.”

Leo lingered at the table. After a few seconds, he said, “Aren’t you going to tell them the rest?”

Danny stared hard at the morsel of food closest to him.

Why was he silent? He hadn’t stopped talking about his plans to buy the bar since Barb had announced it last December.

Leo shook his head. “He’s buying the place.”

“We’rebuying the place,” Danny said sharply. “Though…”

“Though what?” I asked.

He kept his eyes on the food. “Now that I have, um, other responsibilities, I’m wondering if my plan still makes sense.”

“Wait. You’re not talking aboutme,are you?” I leaned over to snag his gaze.

“You and the, um, baby.”

“That’s my brother,” Leo said, a touch of pride in his voice. “Always looking out for family. He was like another parent.”

“I don’t need your money,” I said. “I’m fine. I’ve got plenty of help.” Quickly, I glanced at Carly, who nodded. “It’s your dream to own this bar.”

“Dreams change,” he said. He grabbed the closest scallop and popped it into his mouth. He chewed and swallowed. “Outstanding, Leo.”

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