Chapter 15

My hand covers Dave’s, and I give him an encouraging squeeze. “I don’t know, but she’s gone now and look at us. Best buds all over again.”

He stares at my hand on his for a long moment, then asks softly, “Are you still drunk?”

“What? No. Hung over, yes. But drunk, no.” My skin starts to burn where it touches his. “Why?”

Gently, he pulls his hand from under mine. “Because you’re giving off some really mixed signals right now, Bob. You say you aren’t gay—”

“I’m not.” I catch his hand and grasp it tight. “But listen, we had a good thing once, you know? And God, I’ve been…it’s been so lonely going it alone. Even before she left, I felt abandoned. Lost. I was missing something in my life but for a long time, I didn’t know what. Then I see you again and the world feels right. Things start to make sense. I’m not saying let’s rush into this—”

“No,” Dave says, agreeing with me.