“Fair enough,” Benji said. He stole a couple more fries and then he smiled. “I’ll leave you two alone. Will I see you on Friday?” he asked me.
“I’m not sure.”
“Maybe if this—” he pointed from me to Vee and back again, “works out, you can sing a happy song for a change?”
“Maybe.” I smiled at him.
“It was nice meeting you.” He gave Vee an honest smile and got a polite one in return. “And for what it’s worth? I think you two will make it. Your secret handholding isn’t as clandestine as you think.” He winked at us and walked out, whistling Pharrell Williams’ Happy
I let out a noisy exhale and threw myself backward in the chair.
“I’m sorry,” he said.
Rolling my head, I looked at him. The formal fa?ade cracked before my eyes. His face relaxed, making the tense lines around his mouth and in the corners of his eyes disappear. “It’s fine,” I said. “Thanks for being honest about your feelings.”