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“No, I don’t. I survived just fine without Jake’s explanation. Honestly, I’d have liked him better if he’d never shown up after the breakup.”

“And then he showed up wanting you back.”

“Unfortunately. When Bethany didn’t work out.”

“He didn’t dump you because you were boring. You are not boring.” She turns her head to the side, takes a deep breath, and floors me with her gaze. “Listen, I’m going to give it to you straight, and I apologize in advance if I’m being too direct or rude, but we both know I am mostly feral. You have got to be the bigger person here. You are the one who’s presently on more solid ground. If you care for this man, you will swallow your pride and your insecurity and you will find him and shake him until he tells you what happened and what’s caused him to pull back from you so dramatically.”

I pout. “But I don’t want to. It feels ... humiliating.”

“Why? Why is it humiliating?”

“He obviously doesn’t want me. I’m not going to beg.”

“It’s not obvious. Nothing is obvious. You are entitled to some sort of explanation after you’ve been joined at the hip for months now.”

I roll the beer between my fingers and say nothing.

“I’m going to ask you a few questions.”

“Okay.”

“Do you love him?”

I look at her stunned. “Do I love Joe?”

She nods.

“I don’t know.”

“So, how do you feel about him?”

“I am fucking hurt and disappointed and ashamed.”

“How did you feel about him yesterday morning?”

“I don’t know, Roxie.”

“Listen, Liz, this is important. How. Do. You. Feel about him?”

“I don’t know, okay? I am so hurt right now that I can’t see beyond that! It’s all ... broken now!”

She puts her hands up. “Okay. Calm down. Let me ask you this—do you guys laugh together?”

“We do. All the time. We crack each other up.”

“And how are your tastes in movies and music and other stuff?”

“Yeah, we both like comedies and action movies and police procedurals. We both love the Vikings. We always have a good time.”

“How about when you need him for anything? Like when Jake came over? Was Joe there for you?”

“Yeah, he was great. He’s been really great about Jake, and about Bobby moving here. He’s been thoughtful and respectful and he always has my back.”

“Aha. Now, how is the sex?”

“Roxie!” I blush.

“You’re not a kid, Liz. It’s a perfectly normal question. How’s the sex between you and Joe?”