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“It’s just around the corner,” he says

“What is?”

He chuckles “The restaurant What did you think I was talking about?”

Rolling my hand next to my head, I reply, “Sorry I have a lot on my mind”

“It’s okay Want to talk about it?”

“No Definitely not” I hate that I snap, but what a me in completely inappropriate and non-platonic ways? Yeah, I don’t think that’d go over well

“Okay Noted” I stop walking When he stops a few steps ahead of me and looks back, he asks, “What is it?”

“I don’t want you to not ask me questions I want you to ask, and I want to tell you, but soet with the seams of my jeans

“So”

Looking up, I sigh heavily “I know you say that, and I know youto catch up “I think I need to talk to Marlow”

“All right” He pops out his elbow “Let’s go, and you can talk to Marlow”

Why does he always have to be so understanding? If he’d pushedBut now is clearly not the time, so I slip my arm around his and settle for the physical closeness instead

“We’re onlyhis stomach as he rests back in his chair

Marlow tips her glass back and finishes the last few drops of wine “I’ to think this is hoill be from now on”

Since it’s soht a lot about as well, I say, “I hope not”

Rad reaches for his glass “Things are changing We’re changing It’s not a bad thing It’s life evolving”

With an exhaustive exhale, Marlow’s patience has worn thin “Why does life always have to change? If it’s not your father divorcing, it’s Mother’s botched fillers or praising an artist’s hile stroking their ego when you hate the art theythem for the better part of a year while your other friends are too busy for you”

Rad, Jackson, and I stare at her I think my personal proble over, I take her hand and hold it “We’d never forget about you I’oing on—”