She presses her lips together. "Why didn't you tell him?"
"I never tell anyone shit." And I don't fucking enjoy the way Leighton is staring at me right now. With all that pity in her eyes.
"I get it, Walker. I've been infatuated before. You can't get enough of them. You think it's never going to end."
"You saying it is?"
"The honeymoon ends, yeah. She might be the one. You might be forever. I hope so. She's cool and smart, and you deserve someone like that. But the infatuation… it's normal for you to forget your friends for a while. To get all wrapped up in them. But Dean—I'm pretty sure you and Ryan are the only people he trusts."
"Maybe."
"And it's not like Ryan is pouring his heart out over drinks."
"Yeah." Ryan is about as tight-lipped as it gets.
"The last few weeks, you've been different. In the clouds
. Ignoring everybody here."
"Maybe."
"No. Definitely." She slides off her stool. "You don't have to apologize to me. I understand. Fuck, how I understand. But a girl's never come between you and Dean. And with Ryan… you can see why he's worried."
"Maybe."
"Your life. Do what you want."
"Doesn't always feel like it."
She tosses her empty cup in the trash can under the counter. "Your sister really check out of rehab early?"
"Yeah." I'm not sure how much of that story Leighton knows. I'd like to keep it to a minimum.
"That sucks. I'm sorry."
"Thanks."
"You want to talk about it?"
"I'll give you one guess."
* * *
I call Iris as soon as I get home.
Her voice is enough to push the clouds in my head away. But it's temporary. I need more. I need my head clear.
I know just the place.
I text her.
Walker: Meet me somewhere Saturday.
Iris: What's in it for me?
Walker: My beautiful face.
Iris: That's it?