Jaime takes a sip of her beer, smiling over the edge. When she sets it back down, she levels a finger, moving it back and forth between Malik and me. “So how long have you two been dating?”
I jerk, whipping my head to the left to look at Malik, then back to Jaime. “Oh… we’re not dating.”
Jaime’s gaze moves to Malik, who shakes his head. “Nope. Not dating.”
“Really?” Jaime asks, completely amazed. “I could have sworn you were because when you talk, he’s totally absorbed in what you’re saying and vice versa. It’s a shame. You two would make a beautiful couple.”
“Nope, not dating at all,” I confirm quickly and perhaps a bit too shrilly. “Just friends.”
Laughing, Jaime nudges Cage in the ribs, giving him a knowing look before turning her attention to me. “Oh, someone doth protest just a little too much.”
And, in that moment, I don’t like her anymore because she’s shining a spotlight down on me. She’s calling out every inappropriate feeling I’ve had about Malik over the last week since he’s been back.
I mean, nothing awfully inappropriate, but I definitely feel close to him. There’s a bond because of shared losses. And he’s a gorgeous man, which I’ve noticed a time or two, and I absolutely have no right to be doing that.
At that moment, Cage gallantly intervenes, perhaps reading the unease in my posture. His arm goes around Jaime, and he pulls her into him, “No, seriously, babe… they’re really just friends.”
Not sure if she just has the personality of a dog with a bone that won’t give something up, or she’s an eternally optimistic romantic, but she glances between Malik and me with a soft smile. “Oh, but why not? You two are clearly great friends, and you do look beautiful together—”
I’m not sure what my expression says—or Malik’s for that matter since I don’t dare look at him, but Jaime abruptly cuts off her words, contrition and worry crossing her face. “Oh God… I’m sorry. I totally overstepped my bounds. Said something awfully rude, didn’t I? I didn’t mean to hurt anyone’s feelings. I’m just such a romantic. Sometimes, I see things that aren’t there, I think.”
I glance over at Cage, who shrugs, then get the guts up to peek at Malik, who stares back with a sorrowful smile before his attention goes to Cage.
“Shit,” Jaime exclaims, ducking her head in apology. “I said something really bad, didn’t I? Totally stuck my foot in my mouth. I’m not sure why, but I know I did.”
I shoot her a reassuring look meant to tell her to stop beating herself up. Opening my mouth, I start to gently tell her the truth about my husband having just died when Malik stuns the shit out of me.
“I’m gay,” he blurts out.
Once again, I jerk, whipping his way.
Cage makes a choking sound, but Jaime doesn’t hear it. She merely grins sheepishly at Malik. “Well, totally missed that. My bad.”
“It’s all good,” Malik reassures her. When he cuts his gaze at me, I try to convey my gratitude with just my eyes.
“And look at the time,” Cage announces, glancing down at his watch. “We have to get going if we’re going to make our reservations.”
I happen to know Cage’s dinner reservations aren’t for another forty-five minutes. Plus, the restaurant he’s taking her to isn’t but a few blocks from here. He’s just cutting this a bit short before the conversation can turn any more personal, either creating more lies or forcing me to have to talk about Jimmy’s death.
Malik and I rise when Cage and Jaime do. We shake hands, making promises to get together for drinks again. When they leave, Malik motions back to the table. “Want to finish our beers?”
“Sure,” I reply, taking my seat again.
Malik goes to the other side. I don’t believe it’s because he doesn’t want to sit beside me. It’s just easier to talk while sitting opposite each other. He rearranges the glasses, pushing Cage and Jaime’s to the side, then tops our beers off from the pitcher.
Holding his glass up, he says, “Cheers.”
I tap mine against his. “Cheers.”
“So… that was slightly awkward,” Malik observes after he places his glass back on the table.
I laugh, my nerves finally having settled, knowing I don’t have to watch what I say anymore or explain I’m a widow to Jaime. “Totally. But you didn’t have to go the whole “I’m gay” route.”
Malik chuckles. “It was fun to see her face when I said it, though.”
I can’t help but laugh.
“Besides,” he continues. “I didn’t want you to have to bring up Jimmy when you’re not ready.”
His words strike something deep within me—that I’m not ready—and I wonder if that’s true or not. I mean, I haven’t looked at another man since Jimmy died. Been a little bit busy being a single mom while working a new job.