Page 42

“Why the surprise, Chase? Do I ever miss these? That used to be your problem when you got stuck in the writing cave. Not my issue.”

Chase gestured to his chest with his beer. “Yeah, but I’m reformed. All settled down and stable.”

I huffed and pushed the pizza boxes at him. “Yeah, keep telling yourself that, my friend.”

I stepped over the threshold into Chase’s apartment. It’d gone through some subtle changes since Tamra moved in. As a writer and editor, he used to be a hot mess. These days, he was more domestic, or at least pretended to be.

“Matteo still coming tonight?” Unless he was hiding, I was the first to arrive.

Chase nodded, and his dark blond hair fell forward over his forehead. “Yeah. He’s coming straight from work, but traffic’s a bitch on I-5.”

He handed me a beer from the fridge, and we dug into the pizza. Matteo’s loss. We’d met up most Fridays for years, but lately had tapered off to monthly or less. Life had been busy for him and Chase. I loved Matteo like a brother, but not enough to let the pepperoni go cold. We’d save him a slice.

Chase smirked, and I knew what he was going to ask. “So, how’s married life treating you?”

“It’s fine.”

“Fine?” he hooted. “That’s your newlywed phrase? Ouch.”

My lips pursed. In a manly way. “We’re working on finding a place together. I think it’ll be easier then, when we’re sharing space. She’s also got some medical stuff, which is making things slow going.”

“Do you need tips from Mr. Romance?”

I shoved him in the shoulder. “Not necessary, but thanks.”

Chase raised a brow and the right corner of his mouth tilted up. “Really? I have moves.”

I laughed. “Yeah, I remember your moves. They almost got you permanently de-friended by Tamra when you were first getting to know each other. I’m doing fine on my own, thanks.”

Both brows hit his forehead. “How’s her cleavage game when you’re together? Is it strong?”

I pushed him again. “Hey now. What are you doing, noticing my wife’s cleavage? Isn’t that against bro code?”

He raised his hands. “I’m not noticing; I’m asking whatyou’venoticed. How it’s been as an indication of her interest level. Don’t you remember coaching me after my date with Tamra?” He deepened his voice to mimic mine. “If the boobs are on display and it’s not a natural place for said plumage, for example, a bar, then it’s premeditated boobage.I’m quoting your own advice back at you.” He pointed his beer at me. “Nothing creepy about that... Unless you’re saying past you was wrong.”

I groaned. “I remember now. But hearing you say it, it sounds sowrong.”

Another knock, and Chase let Matteo in. I silently envied his vintage Star Wars tee and jeans his job in IT at Nintendo considered casual Friday appropriate. His hair was long on top and shiny with product that kept it back from his classically handsome face. I’d moved from a household with a strict dress code to a profession with one. I wished I could feel comfortable in something that casual, but after so long, dressing up was habit as much as intention. Matteo scowled when he noticed the pizza box only had a couple of slices left. “Thanks, guys.”

“Whatever. You can make up for it with an extra beer.”

Matteo grabbed the remaining slices along with a beer and followed us into Chase’s game room. Chase spared zero thought for anything but his toys. It used to drive me crazy he had no interest in decorating or letting me help. The room itself had bland white walls and beige carpet but was saved by the huge pool table took up most of the floor space and a dark couch and gaming console setup to one side. The couch was well-worn, and you could practically see the depressions from our weight in the cushions even when the couch was empty.

“What’s your pleasure?” Chase asked.

I shrugged and left it to Matteo to choose our game.

“Classic. I’m in the mood to smoke you both at old school Mario Kart.”

It was getting late when my phone buzzed. I glanced down and smiled. “Guys, I need a pause.”

“You need a pause? For a woman? Who are you, and what have you done with Jimmy?” Matteo asked.

“Yeah, what gives?” asked Chase as he paused the game.

I picked up my phone. “I have a message from Melena. I want to make sure she’s okay.”

“Oooooohhh,” Matteo said in his best middle school girl voice. “Is that the new wife?”