Page 54 of Should Our Stars Collide

“He was convinced we were pulling his leg. Didn’t believe us for months.”

A giggle tumbles out of Kieran’s mouth. “Figures. I mean, I woke up in bed with you and I can barely believe it. So, what changed his mind?”

Catching us with my hand down your pants did the trick alright.

“Let’s just say something happened that left no room for doubt.”

Kieran, the smart cookie he is, catches on almost instantly. “That better not mean what I think it means.” The haunted voice makes it hard not to laugh.

“I plead the fifth.”

“Okay. That’s enough. I’m done. No more questions, just margaritas.”

On cue, the waitress appears, holding a tray with two drinks. “Here’s your margarita.”

“Thank god. Impeccable timing.” Kieran cradles the glass between his hands like it’s a precious treasure.

“He gave me the speech.” Ash says, unprompted.

“Huh?”

“Dawson. He gave me the speech.”

Kieran chokes a little. “He didnot.” His shoulders tremble. “Dee? My Dee?”

“The one and only.”

“What kind of speech, exactly?”

“The ‘you hurt him and I’ll kill you’ speech.”

“Oh. My. God.” Taking off the sunnies, he uses the back of his hand to wipe tears from his eyes. “I wish I was there. Fuck, I can’t believe it.”

“Why not? He loves you. He wants you to be happy.”

It’s a fact, an obvious one, but Kieran reacts like the notion has never crossed his mind. His whole demeanor changes, as does his face. A reluctant smile pulls at the corners of his lips.

It takes everything Ash has not to reach over and hold him.

“What about him?” Kieran asks. “Is he? Happy? I-I know I, well…the other me said so, but…I can be full of shit too.”

It doesn’t take mind-reading to figure out he must be referring to the situation with Cal.

“Happiest you’ve seen him. Your words.”

“That’s…uh, good.” He nods, as if confirming the fact to himself.

“I’m so sorry.” The waitress from before pops up again. “I gave you the wrong drink. This one is yours.”

Confused, Kieran’s gaze flicks between the margarita in his hand and the one the waitress is holding out to him. “Aren’t they the same?”

“That one has alcohol,” she clarifies, nodding to the glass in Kieran’s hand.

“Duh?”

“Didn’t you…order non-alcoholic?”

“Pfft, no. I’d never?—”