Page 65 of Me Three
“Ass,” Carter mutters under his breath.
The waitress is back to our table with our order, and whether we like it or not, we have to get serious.
“So… what was this phone call about?” I ask, going back to the pre-Ezra subject.
Everett drops the slice of pizza he’s holding and wipes his hands, leaning back in his chair.
“It was a friend from Paris. We studied together, and we’ve kept in touch over the years,” he says. “He moved to New York after we graduated and is an arts curator for a gallery there.”
I chew the last bit of dough in my mouth and turn on my full attention to him. Carter is not as sensitive.
“After you insisted on showcasing my work, I got in touch and sent him pictures of my paintings. I didn’t really expect anything. Just wanted to get an opinion more than anything. Well, he called me back to tell me his boss wants to do a whole event built around my work.”
He’s so nonchalant about it, I almost don’t register the spectacular news he’s just had. But I do register. And I shriek for joy, standing up to give him a big hug.
“Congratulations, Ev,” I say. “That’s amazing. And so well deserved.”
“Thanks,” he says.
Carter reaches for his hand across the table and gives it a tug.
“I’m so proud of you,” he tells him.
“Thanks. Both of you. I wouldn’t have done it if it weren’t for you.”
I sit back down and pick up my food where I left off.
“Obviously the details will be finalized at a later date, but… do you think you guys want to come with me to New York?” he says, his voice so low I have to strain to hear him.
Carter and I exchange glances before Carter tells him.
“We wouldn’t miss it for the world, stupid.”
“Thanks. Fuck you, too,” Ev tells Carter.
“What? Youarebeing stupid. Why wouldn’t we come with you? It’s New York for crying out loud,” Carter says.
“Yeah. Think of all the shopping!” I say.
“And the fucking,” Carter adds a little too enthusiastically, and a couple next to us chuckles.
“I don’t know. Because going to an event as my partners would make it official. I don’t know if that’s scary for you,” Ev tells Carter. “Or for you,” he tells me.
“Honey, I’m wearing stilettos that reach all the way to the sky. Do I look like I’m scared to you?”
Carter takes my hand and squeezes it and puts his other hand on Ev’s.
“Nothing scary about this,” he says. “Okay, loads of things are scary about this, and we’ve got shitloads to figure out, but you’re worth it. Both of you,” Carter says.
Ev smiles, and I turn to look at Carter.
“What are you scared about, silly?”
Carter looks at the ceiling, shaking his head. “I don’t know. Like the fact we’re still your teachers and shouldn’t be sleeping with you, for example.”
I shrug.
“Who cares? I won’t say a word if you won’t. And I know you won’t, so…”
