Page 10 of Last Date

“But why not? I know you and Merrick don’t always get along, but Peter is great. You two should be good pals.”

“Peter is fine,” I mumbled. “Although he seems off tonight.”

“Yeah.” Thomas sighed. “Merrick said they had a fight right before they came.”

I perked up. “Oh, really? He told you that?” Why did the thought of them arguing please me? Was I was becoming one of those bitter single people who resented other people’s happiness?

“They were running late, so Merrick wanted me to know why.” He sipped his almost empty beer. “Besides, Merrick tells me everything.”

“That seems weird.”

“Why? We’re besties.”

I rolled my eyes. “You’re pals with Peter too. Shouldn’t you be loyal to him as well?”

“Who said I was being disloyal?” Thomas frowned at me. “I love Peter. I wouldn’t have set him up with Merrick if I didn’t.”

“I guess.” I watched Merrick and Peter. They definitely seemed stiffer with each other than usual. “What did they fight about?”

“Nothing.”

“They fought about nothing?”

Thomas studied me. “I’m not sure I should tell you. It’s not really any of your business.”

I sighed. “Fine. Don’t tell me. I don’t really care anyway.”

Thomas leaned closer. “If you must know, they had an argument about Valentine’s Day.” He gave a surreptitious glance toward the couple. “I invited them to my house for a Valentine’s Day party, and Merrick accepted before discussing it with Peter. I guess Peter had other ideas of a more romantic one-on-one kind of evening.”

“Well, it is their first Valentine’s Day together as a couple,” I said grudgingly. “Merrick should have wanted to do something more personal. Not hang out with you.”

“But… it’s fun to have a party anytime.”

“This must be why you’re single.”

“Hey.” He scowled. “You’re single too.”

I shrugged. “The difference is I’m happy being alone.”

He chuffed. “Maybe too much so.”

“They say you have to learn to enjoy your own company before you can find true happiness with someone else.”

“Who says that?”

I waved my hand. “Wise people.”

He shook his head and drained his beer. “I worry about you, little brother. You need to put yourself out there more. I may be single, but I go out on dates all the time. You’re like a monk lately.”

“I’ll have you know I have a date on Valentine’s Day.”

He bugged his eyes. “What?”

“That’s right.” I pointed at myself. “This guy right here has a hot date.”

“Who with?” He looked skeptical. “Blow-up dolls don’t count.”

I scowled. “I don’t own a blow-up doll. What the heck?”