Page 22 of Free Fall

“Of course,” I reply, stepping closer.

Why am I drawn in when this feels so awkward and uncomfortable? Why don’t I just skedaddle? It wasonefuck. Three. Four. Whatever. A true count depends on the definition of “fuck,” and I really don’t need to be standing here figuring that out because it doesn’t really matter.

Oh, my God, Sejin, please get it together.

I find myself saying, “We’re all friends.”

Dan’s brows jump oddly, but he just keeps chewing.

Rye rolls his eyes at Dan and sighs. “I should have warned you, I guess.”

Dan swallows. “That he works here? Yeah. That would’ve been nice.”

“Trying to avoid me?” I cock my head. “Funny way of showing it. Turning up at both my places of business in one day.”

“I’m not avoiding you,” Dan says, his big eyes making him look incredibly earnest. “I’m surprised. That’s all. I wanted to see you again.”

He frowns and looks baffled by his own words. “But I don’t…” He shakes his head. “You know. I don’t… Dothatwith friends.”

Rye and I bark with laughter at the same time.

“Excuse me,” I say. “Is this your way of saying you don’t want to be my friend?”

“If I’m your friend then we can’t meet again this weekend, and I was looking forward to that.”

Jeanie looks up from her drawing again, confusion in her eyes. “Being friends is good, Dan. Be friends with Sejin. Please.”

“I can’t,” Dan says firmly. “Not if I want to be something else with Sejin.”

“Something else?”

Dan nods.

“Like what?”

Rye gives Dan a sharp glance. “Yeah, like what, Dan?”

“Like climbing partners?” Jeanie asks with a sudden knowing. “You’re Mommy’s climbing partner. Do you want to be Sejin’s climbing partner instead of friends?”

“Sure,” Rye chimes in. “That’s what he means, honey.”

“Do you climb?” Dan asks me suddenly.

I’ve been up on a rock wall, but I don’t love it. I’m not so great with heights. I’ve mainly done low-level bouldering because big walls are definitely not my speed. But why is he going on about how we can’t be friends? What kind of asshole doesn’t want to be friends with guys he sleeps with? What if little Jeanie is actually abadjudge of character? I already know Rye can be—look at his ex!

I wish for a customer to enter the shop right now with an overly friendly dog so I can see how Dan reacts to it. More than half the time, we have multiple animals in the place, but not today. Of course.

“I’ve been a few times,” I say.

“Hm.”

But that’s all he gives me. He goes back to his boba, and I’m left hanging there like a fool.

Rye shoots me a wide-eyed look that communicates his own vague irritation at Dan’s rudeness. But it’s not his fault that the guy I hooked up with is so…whatever this is.

I shrug. “Well, yeah. Okay, see you around, Rye. See you for Movement tomorrow, Jeanie.” I look at Dan who gazes back at me over his boba. “These tables won’t bus themselves.”

“We’re still on for this weekend, right?” Dan asks as I turn away.