“No, you’re right.” He sighed and scratched his chin. “They wouldn’t hurt you, anyway. He’s completely in love with you.”
“How do you know that? You’ve never even met him.”
“It’s guy-dar.” He pointed to his forehead. “Like gay-dar but for straight people.”
“The shit that comes out of your mouth.”
“I know. I’m entertaining.” He huffed with a shoulder shrug. “But really, how are you with all of this?”
“No clue.” We went back to staring out over the water, watching a duck as it paddled about in the glossy lake. I wondered what my life would have been like if I had disappeared into the wind along with Elio and his family. Would I have been this messed up inside, or would I be at peace and happy with life? Like, truly happy with a heart full of warmth instead of frozen in a layer of frost like it was now.
“Are you looking forward to tonight?” Wyatt split a blade of grass with his nail and held it between his fingers.
“VIP access to one of the best whiskey rooms New York City has to offer?” I playfully flicked my hair over my shoulder. “I am, and I can’t wait. I have the perfect dress to wear for it.” I smiled over at my best friend. “I really do enjoy your friendship with Leo.”
“Me too. He’s a good friend.” He matched my fun, but like the setting sun in front of us, it soon faded, and we were left wondering what was next. I could tell Wyatt was struggling with something, but I wasn’t sure what.
“You okay?”
“Yeah,” he answered too quickly.
“Yeah?”
“I just need a little more time before I share.”
I struggled to my feet from the deep Adirondack chair and offered him a hand to join me. “Whenever you’re ready, you know I won’t push.”
“I know.” He stretched as he stood and rested his arm around my shoulder, kissing the top of my head as we walked back up to the house. “So, what exactly are you wearing tonight?”
“Let’s just say black lace.” I grinned at him.