Page 25 of Bed and Breakup (Dial Delights #15)
“Plus-one?” Mrs. Lasko says, laughing. “If we’d known you were in town, we’d have extended an invitation. It’s an honor to have a highly respected artist at Bradford’s party.”
I nearly fall off my chair at that.
Mr. Lasko leans forward, seeming to really look me in the eye for the first time. Ever. “We saw your profile in the Arkansas Times. And your installation at Crystal Bridges. Very impressive. It’s a pleasure to say we knew you when.”
I pick my jaw up off the floor enough to thank them.
“Do you have any other media planned? I can give you a discount on Botox treatments before your next photo shoot,” he offers.
I feel Robin’s grip on my knee tighten. “Um, that’s all right,” I manage to mumble.
“You have to start early if you want to maintain a natural look,” he says.
I know this is just standard conversation for him, but wow is it uncomfortable for me.
“Robin, have you been letting yours lapse? Between the brows there? You’ve got to stay camera-ready for when your next opportunity comes along, especially since your restaurant flopped. ”
Robin opens her mouth to respond, but I beat her to it.
“I certainly wouldn’t call a business named a best new restaurant of the year in Food & Wine magazine a flop,” I say, imitating his casual-party-chatter tone.
I googled Robin’s restaurants after our heart-to-heart on the porch last week, and I’m fully prepared to put my knowledge to use.
“Plus Kindling got a two-page review in Bon Appétit, and Robin was a finalist for a James Beard Award for Best Chef of the Northwest and Pacific.”
I turn to Robin with an encouraging grin on my face. She looks like I just started speaking fluent Hungarian. “Um, yeah,” she manages to say.
I turn back to Mr. Lasko, who’s examining me with a combination of irritation and curiosity. “Of course, we’re very proud of Birdie. I’m sure whatever comes next for her will be huge.” He leans forward to look at Robin. “What is coming next for you?”
Robin clears her throat. “Nothing official yet.”
A departing party guest calls Mr. Lasko away. Mrs. Lasko, Robin, and I all stand, understanding our conversation to be over. But before she leaves, Mrs. Lasko fondly cups Robin’s cheek with her palm and says, “We know you’ll land on your feet.”
Once we’re alone—albeit in the middle of a bustling party—Robin and I look at each other and take a deep breath in and out in unison.
“I owe you at least three Purple Cow milkshakes after this,” Robin says.
“With extra whipped cream?”
“Absolutely.”
We weave through the partygoers to the back porch for a little air, where we find Gabe with the birthday boy, playing with a set of colorful wooden blocks.
“Oh, hey, guys,” Gabe says when he spots us. “Come on over.”
We settle onto the ground next to them and help Bradford stack the blocks in a tower. Gabe seems different now that he’s a father. Chattier. Softer. More comfortable in his own skin. He plays Godzilla and knocks the tower over, sending Bradford into peals of giggles.
“Thanks again for coming,” he says as the baby begins rebuilding. “It’s nice to have people here I enjoy talking to.”
In the old days, Gabe hardly talked to me beyond short conversations about books or movies. He never seemed that close to Robin either, even though they’re only a couple years apart in age. But maybe that’s changing now that they’re both older.
“You and the kids are the whole reason we came,” Robin says. “Even makes it worth Mom and Dad needling me about not being good enough for them,” she adds grimly.
“Of course you’re good enough for them,” Gabe says, sounding confused by Robin’s comment. “They brag about you all the time to their friends. I always used to feel like a failure in comparison.”
I sit in wide-eyed silence. I’ve never seen Robin and Gabe have a conversation like this. Are they actually talking about their feelings ?
“No way,” Robin says. “They’re so proud of you and your perfect kids and your promotion at the insurance company. Maybe I was flashy for a second, but now there’s no question who’s the more impressive child.”
Gabe laughs in a way that could be bitter, but I think sounds more genuine.
“My new job—it’s not a promotion. It’s kind of a demotion.
I’m going to half-time so I can be home more with Annalise and Brad.
Heather’s been killing it at her law firm.
She’s up for partner next summer, and if she gets it, we’re talking about me becoming a stay-at-home dad. ”
Bradford spits up a little, and I lean closer to wipe it with his bib, not wanting anything to interrupt this conversation. Gabe? Who couldn’t be bothered to look away from his phone during every family occasion I ever attended? A loving, attentive, full-time dad? Honestly, I love it for him.
“Good for you, dude,” Robin says, impressed. “How…how are Mom and Dad taking it?”
“Shockingly well,” Gabe says, leaning back on his elbows.
“Not at first. But we talked it out. I told them how much I enjoy being a dad. And would you believe, under all the weird ways they have of expressing it, they really want us to be happy and safe and taken care of? They always figured I’d be the breadwinner, which is hella sexist. But if staying home with the kids while Heather goes boss mode brings me joy, they say they support me. And I believe them.”
Robin can’t seem to find the words to respond, so I say, “I’m proud of you, Gabe. Those couldn’t have been easy conversations to have with your parents.”
“They weren’t,” he agrees. “But since we had them, things between us have been easier than ever. We’re pretty chill these days.”
The back door opens and Annalise comes bounding out, followed by Heather.
“Daddy, Daddy, play bears with me!” Annalise says, running in a loop around the porch.
Gabe excuses himself with a wonderfully earnest grin, then starts chasing Annalise around the yard, growling playfully with his arms outstretched.
“Come here, little bear cub,” Heather says, then grabs Bradford, lifts him onto her shoulders, and follows them into the grass.
Robin looks at me, confused and maybe a little bit hopeful. “That was…huh.”
“Yeah,” I say, gently patting her shoulder. “Lots to talk about on the drive home. But first…want to play bears?”
Robin grins, then stands and pulls me up beside her. We run off, paws clasped together, following the sound of giggles and roars.