Page 157 of When Ben Loved Jace

“You know,” Allison says as we’re perusing the menu. “You’ve really got to ask the hospital for full-time hours. If they won’t give them to you, start searching for someone who will.”

My head shakes. “I can’t afford to lose my job.”

“You literally can’t afford to let them keep dragging you along like this. You’re good at what you do. And you’ve got years of experience now. It’s time to make your move.”

“You just want your money back.”

“Damn right I do!” Allison winks. “What are you gonna get?”

“I’m leaning toward the eggplant parmesan. Oh! And if you feel like spoiling me, some garlic bread.”

“Not a good idea,” Allison murmurs while frowning at the menu. “I hate when they list the calories.”

“What’s wrong with garlic bread?”

“Oh!” She glances up sharply. “We’re going to be sharing a microphone tonight.”

“I’m sure they have more than one.”

“This is supposed to be ahotdate,” she reminds me.

I raise an eyebrow. “Is Brian not putting out?”

“As if he could resist my wiles,” she replies with a snort. “Will you judge me if I get the veal parmesan?”

“Harshly.”

“Fine. Fettuccine Alfredo it is.”

The waiter shows up to take our order, and I do a doubletake, because he’s a handsome young man with shaggy brown hair and intense eyes. Brown instead of blue. I feel a pang of guilt anyway. I haven’t asked Michelle about Jason recently. I only know that he was eventually placed with another family. I still wonder if I should have taken him in, despite everything I was going through, but I was such a mess after Jace died. It took a long time before I felt like myself again. And now I simply don’t have the money. Wherever he ended up, I hope Jason is happy. He was such a great kid. I would have been proud to call him my son.Ourson. God that still stings.

“You all right?” Allison asks while studying me.

“Yeah. Just thinking of missed opportunities. And that garlic bread.”

“You’ll live.”

Dinner is a real treat. I don’t get to eat out very often. We’re both feeling a little sluggish when leaving, so we decide to walkto the karaoke bar. By the time we get there, I’m eager to sing with my best friend.

“Would youpleaseconsider taking a role in one of Brian’s plays?” I ask while we wait our turn. “We’d have so much fun!”

She shakes her head. “I’ll tell you what I keep telling him. If it isn’t a seven-figure deal, I’m not interested.”

They call our names. We bring down the house. Repeatedly. Brian’s flyers were left in the car, but Allison makes sure to mention his theater after one of our strongest performances.

“This has been a great night,” I say while we’re cooling off between rounds. “I feel like getting drunk.”

Allison shakes her head. “I won’t be drinking again for a long time.”

“Yeah, of course,” I say with a wince of apology. “Sometimes I forget that you’re a lush.”

She laughs and pushes me playfully. “That isn’t why.”

Her smile is especially bright. I gasp when I finally figure out why.

“You’re pregnant?”

She nods. “Yup! We just found out yesterday.”