And then there were two.
We stood there staring at one another, smiling into each other’s eyes like a couple of idiots. Trip went in for another hug, saying, “I just can’t believe you’re here!” He pulled back and asked, “So how are you? How’s everything?”
He was holding my hands, but released one to gesture at the couch. “Here, c’mere. Sit down so we can talk.”
He plunked himself down on the sofa, but I took the chair next to it. We were sitting at a right angle to one another, our knees almost touching when I answered, “I’m good. Everything’s great.”
“So, you’re writing. Who are you with again? I never pay attention when Sandy tells me who I’m interviewing with.”
I’m sure if she had told him I was with some major periodical, he would have registered it. But I tried to sound optimistic when I answered, “I’m with Now! Magazine? I’ve been with them for about three years now.”
His brows drew together, trying to recall if he’d ever heard of it. “Hmm. I don’t know if I’m familiar with that one. Is it local?”
Now! Magazine was about as local as you could get. “Yes. It’s the weekly insert for the Sunday papers.”
“Oh, like Parade?”
“Yes. Only crappier.”
That made him throw his head back and laugh. “Same old Layla!” He grabbed my hand again, threading his fingers in and out of mine. “How’s your dad? How’s Bruce?”
I was praying that my palms wouldn’t go sweaty as I answered, “Dad’s good. He’s dating a woman named Sylvia.” Trip’s brows shot up as I continued, “Yeah, I know, good for him. She’s really great. He’s happy. Bruce is doing construction with my cousin Jack’s company over in Jersey, but he’s convinced it’s only temporary.”
“Wow.”
“Yeah, wow. All grown up, right?”
Trip gave a shake to his head, trying to assimilate all the new information. “And Lisa? How are she and Pick doing? I saw him, you know. A bunch of years back. I’d just settled out in L.A. as they were getting ready to move to Phoenix.”
Obviously, I was already well aware of that situation. “Yeah. Pick had that offer with the Suns, but they came back to Jersey after the injury. He’s doing great, though. Coaching with the Knicks. Oh! And Lisa’s pregnant!”
“What? Oh my God. That’s insane! You have to tell them congratulations for me.”
“I will, I will. I know, it was a shocker for me, too.”
“Jesus, everyone’s all grown up and living their lives like real adults, huh?”
“Seems so.”
“Jeez, thank God we don’t have to, am I right?”
I started laughing. Our eyes locked for a pause, but it wasn’t an uncomfortable silence. We were both thinking the same thing, staring at one another in disbelief, wrapping our brains around the fact that we were sitting across from each other after so many years.
Trip broke the quiet first. “I still can’t believe you’re here right now.”
“Me either.”
Trip looked down at our hands, still intertwined… and took note of the ring on my finger. He lifted the diamond closer to his face and asked, “Well, what do we have here?”
I was struck with the most unreasonable pang of guilt, but I tried to sound chipper. “His name’s Devin Fields. We work together at Now! and have been together for about two years.”
Trip pursed his lips and nodded his head. He said, “Congratulations,” enthusiastically enough, but his smile never reached his eyes. He released my hand and sank back into the sofa, crossing one ankle over his knee. “So, when’s the big day?”
“Oh, we haven’t even started planning anything. This just happened a couple weeks ago.”
Trip drummed his shin and asked, “Is he a good guy? Does he treat you right?”
I knew he was only teasing, but I answered, “Yes. He truly is. He does.”
He smoothed the jeans over his calf with his palm and stated, “Well, that’s just great. Really. No wonder you look so terrific. You’re in love. It shows.”
I smiled politely, but didn’t quite know what to say. I felt uncomfortable discussing Devin’s and my relationship with Trip, like I’d be breaking my loyalties to my fiancé by talking about him, even favorably, behind his back. I guessed it was just weird to be discussing my current lover with my old one. So, all I said was, “Thank you.”
He gave me a long, hard look, then bounded off the couch and headed for the kitchen fridge. “Hey, Can I get you a drink? I’m having a drink.”
I could hear the mini liquor bottles rattling around in his grasp and watched as he came up with two of them.
“Trip. It’s barely past noon.”