By the time we were done with dinner, things were feeling better. Not like the evening could still be salvaged, but somewhat back to normal. We were feeling like us again, at least.
“But I am worried about you,” Clark said, once the plates were cleared. He reached across the table and squeezed my hand. “How are you doing with all of this?”
For a moment I thought about telling him how I was really feeling—like things were spinning out of my control and all I knew to do was to hold on as hard as I could, and try to keep everything together. But the moment passed, and I just gave him a smile, even though I was pretty sure he would see through it. “Of course,” I said. “I’m fine.”
ME
Hey! Running a few late to pick up Bert. Be there soon.
CLARK
That’s fine!
Whenever.
Um.
ME
What?
CLARK
So I have to tell you something
ME
What is it?
CLARK
I told Tom
About Bri and Wyatt
ME
What?!
Clark!!
CLARK
You were acting so strange about the whole thing
Not like yourself at all and I didn’t know if you were okay.
I just wanted his take on it.
But it’s okay. He promised not to tell
ME
You really think he’s going to be
able to keep this from Palmer?
CLARK
Maybe?
ME
I don’t.
Wait, hold on, he just texted
TOM
Andie! What the hell?!
ME
I know
TOM
I mean . . .
ME
I know
TOM
You know I have to tell Palmer
ME
NO
Tom, seriously, you cannot
CLARK
What’s he saying?
ME
Oh, just that he has to tell Palmer
CLARK
But he promised he wouldn’t!
ME
He hasn’t yet, but it seems likely
CLARK
I’ll talk to him
TOM
Hello?
ME
Sorry. Clark’s mad at you
TOM
What did I do? I didn’t even want to know
any of this. And now I’m keeping secrets from my
girlfriend?
ME
How do you think I feel?
You can’t tell her. Tom, SERIOUSLY
It’s bad enough you and Clark know
TOM
What’s that supposed to mean?
PALMER
Hey. What’s going on?
ME
Nothing. Why?
What do you mean?
PALMER
What?
ME
Did you talk to Tom?
PALMER
About what?
ME
Nothing. Just . . . checking.
PALMER
Want to see a movie later?
ME
Maybe! Can I let you know?
CLARK
Okay, now Tom’s mad at me
ME
But is he going to keep it secret?
CLARK
He says he can
ME
He also said he could do a British accent
You didn’t have to sit through the production of
My Fair Lady like the rest of us
TOBY
ME
Hi! What’s going on?
Anything happening?
Anything you want to share?
TOBY
ME
You’re bored at work?
TOBY
ME
That’s great
Toby
ME
No, I just meant that it’s good it’s
not something more serious, that’s all
PALMER
Movie? Bri thinks she can get us in free
And that it’s not just a ploy to get us
to hang out with her this time
ME
Want me to see if Clark can come?
PALMER
Idk, I was thinking maybe just us
I feel like I haven’t seen Bri lately
ME
She’s probably just busy
With her job
CLARK
Tom might be mad at you now
ME
I know that
CLARK
No about something else
(sorry)
TOM
Oh, so now I can’t act, either??
You said you LIKED my Henry Higgins
ME
I did!
TOM
SURE.
ME
CLARK!
CLARK
I’m sorry! I needed an example
ME
Stop telling Tom everything!
PALMER
Movie?
ME
Sure. Fine. Sounds good
And let’s not ask the guys
I’m currently mad at Clark
PALMER
What’d he do?
ME
Nothing
He just
PALMER
What??
ME
He won’t tell me what his new book is about
PALMER
I’ll get Tom to find out—I bet he can
ME
I’m beginning to agree with you
TOBY
ME
Awesome, you’re in?
TOBY
PALMER
Okay, I’ll see you tonight
I have to go talk my boyfriend off the ledge
Suddenly he’s worried about his British accent??
ME
Actors.
Weird, right?
CLARK
Can I see you tonight?
ME
Seeing a movie with the girls.
Tomorrow?
CLARK
It’s a plan.
And I am sorry about telling Tom.
I just needed to get some perspective.
ME
I get it.
I’ll see you tomorrow.
Xx