Page 95 of Can't Kiss the Chef

36

Lola

Twenty minutes after Byron’s parents leave we shut down to transfer over to Jasper’s.

Halloween is always such an interesting weekend. You have people dressed in sexy costumes and those who decide to go the funny route. Then there are the few who are too cool to dress up. Never be one of those pretentious assholes, nobody likes them.

I’m waiting at the bar to get a round of birthday drinks for Byron and the boys when Indy rolls up to me with two drinks already in hand.

“Did he wish you a happy birthday, Lo?” She practically has to scream to be heard over the base of a T-Pain throwback.

The “he” she is referring to is Dalton.

“Just twice. Not bad,” I honestly thought it was going to be consistent messages all day.

We sneak away to the bathroom to hide from the boys. I definitely can’t stomach another shot.

“How was Byron today?”

Byron’s been a little distant since we got back from New York last week. Not going to trivia night with the boys. He has been coming over late at night once my roommates are asleep.

“Yeah, it was a good day. Byron really tried to bond with his dad. Honestly it was the highlight of my day.”

“So, he’s doing better with the whole dad jumping back into his life thing?”

“He’s cautiously optimistic. They have talked on the phone almost everyday since we got back from the engagement party.”

“He does seem happier, but I don’t know if that is rekindling the relationship with his dad, or all the sex he is having thanks to your rekindled relationship.”

I cup my hands under the running water and when it fills up I throw it at Indy who is dressed up as one half of Bennifer during their first stint.

“I’m just talking facts,” she says, wiping the water from bare stomach.

We leave the bathroom arms linked and giggling. The air leaves my body as someone grabs my arm and tugs me to the side. I’m about to throw my elbow into this person’s groin.

That’s until I hear a deep familiar voice. “Do you mind if I steal her for a minute, Ind?”

“She’s all yours birthday boy.”

Indy hands me off before prancing off to find the other half of her obnoxious celebrity nickname.

He links his fingers through the belt loop of my skirt and pulls me into him.

“Do you remember last Halloween?” he asks.

Last year we all went to a party at the baseball house. Ivy drank too much and we were about to leave when Jalen offered to take her home.

It’s also the night Byron became more than my friend with benefits. He is my best friend. We realized our birthdays were only a day apart and it really just spiraled from there. We bonded over our love of food. How we both desperately wanted a relationship with our parents that seemed so out of reach. Our childhoods were about as different as they could be. Yet we both longed for the same thing.

“Yeah that’s the night I realized you were more than Jalen’s best friend who was good in bed.”

He rolls his eyes.

“I think you said that was the night we became best friends.”

“That might be closer to a direct quote.”

“I’ve missed this, Lo. You’ve always been able to make me laugh.”

---