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“Not uncommon.”

“Why? Do you think Jan is your mom’s favorite?”

“She is.”

“Hardly,” Brooklyn disagrees.

“Jan will tell you I am the favorite. It’s a lifelong debate.”

“I find it hard to believe your mom played favorites.”

“I see she won you over already.”

“Your family is great.”

“Spend a couple more holidays with us and come back to me on that theory,” I quip.

“Invite me and I will.”

Perfect moment to nurse the drink in my hand.

“Want another one?” Brooklyn asks.

Have I finished this one already? I look into my glass. Almost. “Why not?” What are you doing Carter?

***

So much for going out for dinner. Three drinks later, Brooklyn is dialing out to order in. “Are you sure you’re okay with having dinner here?”

“Positive.”

“I wanted to take you out. You’ve done so much for me,” she says.

“I haven’t done anything.”

“Oh, no—not at all. You gave me work. You cooked dinner for me and put me up in your home. You took me to a beautiful restaurant by the water. You invited me to Thanksgiving. What did I do? Dragged you to the city to help me.”

I set the drink in my hand on the table and reach for Brooklyn’s hand. “I don’t need you to do anything for me. I like spending time with you. I don’t need anything.”

Brooklyn’s eyes shut for a moment. “I don’t want you to think I’m taking advantage of you.”

“I don’t.”

“I wanted to do something nice for you.”

“Brooklyn, stop. Please. Friends don’t need paybacks.”

“I know, but—"

“No buts. Okay? I would be perfectly happy with a McDonald’s burger and a milkshake.”

“Well, I can do better than that.”

“It doesn’t matter.” It doesn’t. She looks at me and my heart lodges in my throat. She’s going to see through me if I’m not careful.

“At least let me make it up to you with breakfast tomorrow.”

“Breakfast?”