Jack grabbed my wrist and opened his mouth to say something, most likely to lecture me once again about being prepared, when we were saved by a knock at the door.
“Excuse me for a second.” As Jack sauntered over to the door, I noticed he gained some weight back. It both relieved and delighted me to see his clothes not falling off his bony frame anymore.
“Hey man, I guess Ellie and I are the only ones who actually sleep in on Saturday mornings. Come on in.”
I almost choked on my bagel at the sight of the man strolling into the kitchen.
“Evan? Holy shit, is that you?” I stood up from my seat at the table and he scooped me up in a big hug.
Evan had been Jack’s best friend since in high school. But he looked . . . different now. The last time I saw Evan was at Jack’s wedding two years ago. He was always sort of tall and lanky with floppy dark hair, but now he had a buzz cut and was sure as hell not skinny anymore. The tight T-shirt he wore clung to every muscle and ridge in his sculpted torso. I’d been alone for so long, the veins that outlined Evan’s biceps made me salivate. With his hair not covering his face, his eyes really stood out. They were an odd color, not brown, not hazel—almost golden.
I needed to get hold of myself. Evan was practically extended family. I let myself ogle him for another second before I internally shook it off. I’d been single a little too long—maybe it was time for that rabbit thing my friends were always suggesting to me.
“Yep, it’s me. How long has it been? Two years? You look amazing!”
My hair was matted in a messy ponytail, and I had a drying sweat stain under my boobs. I doubted I looked anything close to amazing, or even presentable.
“Yeah, okay. Sweet of you to lie. How long will you be here?”
“I forgot to tell you,” Jack interrupted. “Evan is officially back in the Bronx and working with me. In fact, he moved just down the block. We actually get to see this loser in person all the time now.” Jack slapped Evan on the back. They’d been close friends for years, even after Evan moved away.
Jack owned his own flooring company. He’d learned the trade doing side jobs during college. After he graduated with a business degree, he put his heart and soul into opening Taylor’s Flooring. Jack was a force to be reckoned with, and I was so damn proud of him.
“Yeah, I get to bust his chops in person instead of just texting or calling. I was coming back from running and saw the lights on.”
“Since everyone I know is so into exercise, maybe I should give it a try. Although I just got used to sitting upright without wanting to throw up, I should probably pace myself.” Jack laughed at his own joke, but Evan and I shook our heads and looked away. Stupid humor was how my cousin usually dealt with any kind of tension, but it seemed Evan didn’t care for jokes about Jack being sick either.
“I better go wake Ellie up since we have a full house his morning. Excuse me.” Jack strolled down the hall to their bedroom.
“How’s he doing?” Evan grimaced at me as he leaned against the refrigerator.
I shrugged. “Lately, really well. They stopped the chemo but he seems to be responding well to this experimental treatment. Up until a couple of months ago, the best he could manage was propping himself up on the couch when I came over. Seeing him like this gives me hope.” I smiled as big as possible and pretended I didn’t dread the day Ellie told me Jack was bedridden again. With practice, I was getting really good at this denial thing.
Evan slid into a chair at the table and reached into the paper bag to dig out a bagel.
“Jack always seemed invincible to me. Even when we were kids.” Evan’s voice trailed off.
I squeezed the top of his hand. “Let’s hope he still is.” Evan’s gaze jerked up to mine. I’d meant the touch as a friendly gesture, but now it felt too forward. Our eyes locked, and Evan nodded slowly. Feeling an odd little spark, I yanked my hand off a little too quickly for it not to be awkward.
Had it been that long since I touched a man I wasn’t related to? I was sure I imagined that little moment. We were both feeling vulnerable. That’s all it was.
“So what’s going on with you? Jack told me you aren’t with Chris anymore.”
“No, we weren’t as serious as I thought we were. It’s been over for a few months now.”
“I hope you don’t mind me saying this, but even though I’d only met him a couple of times—I never liked that prick. And your friend always rubbed me the wrong way. What was her name, Seashell?”
I chuckled; I guessed Jack filled him in. “Coral. My friends and family were never crazy about either of them, but I didn’t know how much until they were both gone. I’m a little slow on the uptake, I guess.”
“Nah, you were too good for them both. Way too beautiful for him, that’s for sure.” Our eyes locked again, and I drew a blank as to what to say in reply. I’d known this guy for most of my life. Why was a simple conversation becoming so uncomfortable?
“Good morning, guys! Paige brought bagels? I told you she was my favorite Taylor!” Ellie ran over to me and kissed my forehead, then ravenously reached into the bag and pulled out two bagels. Jack was right about the new momma-to-be being hungry as a bear.
I loved Ellie. After she got serious with Jack, the little pixie became the sister I never had. They were a great couple—one who shouldn’t have to deal with all this sickness so young.
“I hope you guys took what you want because she’ll cut your hand off if you go in for another bagel,” Jack teased. Ellie nudged him with her elbow as she stuffed her face.
I stood up from my seat and grabbed my purse.
“I better get going. I’ll call you guys later—I promised Mom I’d stop by this morning.”
“So soon? You just got here!” Ellie was double fisting bagel halves as she pouted at me.
“Mom is a little more overbearing than usual. A visit will put off the guilt trips about not calling.” I gave her and Jack a quick kiss on the cheek as I headed for the door.
“You’re still coming to the barbecue next week right?” Ellie pleaded through a mouthful of bagel and cream cheese.
I nodded. “How can anyone start summer without your Memorial Day barbecue? Don’t worry I’ll be here.” I winked at her and turned to Evan.
“It was really good to see you, Evan.” Should I kiss him good-bye, too? We hugged hello, what was the big deal?
Evan rose from his seat at the table. He leaned in and planted a kiss on my cheek. His lips were soft and warm, and they lingered on my skin a little too long to be friendly, but not long enough to be inappropriate. I quietly sighed, as that kiss on the cheek was better than sex with Chris during the last two months of our relationship.
“See you soon,” Evan whispered in my ear. Every hair on my neck stood up. He gave me a sweet smile as he pulled away. I smiled and nodded in response as I made my way out.
What the hell was that?
“So really, he just kissed you on the cheek?”
“Yes.”
“And then what did you do?”
“Left.”
“And this is what has you so hot and bothered?”
I nodded, making my friend Natalie chuckle and shake her head. She’d been my best friend since elementary school. My real best friend. After the Coral-Chris debacle, I got back in contact with a few of my old friends that I’d lost touch with. We had a standing breakfast date at the diner on Sundays that I always looked forward to. Life was a lot nicer when you filled it with people who actually enjoyed your company.
“Yeah, you need the rabbit . . .”
I threw my napkin at her and tried to hold back a smile.
“That’s all you got? Really?”
“If you get a rabbit, he can play with Buster!” Natalie’s six-year-old daughter, Angelica, looked up from her coloring book with a huge grin. She was thinking of a much different rabbit. I was pretty sure her pet didn’t run on batteries.