Page 153 of The Incredible Ordinary

He looks at me for a long moment. “I’ve had a few of those here and there,” he finally says.

“Right.” I’m happy that he gets it. “Right. Here and there. Because it’s rare. Right?”

He nods.

“You see, lately—” I lean even closer. “—everything in my life isjust right. All my days are perfect days. Because of you.”

He’s so very still. The way he’s looking at me, it feels like I’m the only person in the world right now.

“Jordy,” he says softly. He blinks. And swallows. “I?—”

Glasses thunk against the table, and we spring apart.

“The line at the bar,” Ollie says. “Fucking hell. Here.” He slides a glass in front of me with a grin and sits back. “Hey, so you played tennis,” he says to Milán.

Milán’s gaze flicks to mine for a quick second before he nods. “Here and there.”

“I’m gonna go to the bathroom,” I murmur to Milán.

“I’ll be here,” he says, and as crazy as it sounds, it feels like a promise.

How about I go and read too much into these few simple words? Done.

But it feels real, so now I’m walking on air, floating toward the hallway that leads to the bathrooms. Just right. So alive. Happy.

I take care of my business and head back. I don’t look where I’m going, so I plow straight into somebody the moment I turn the corner.

“Whoa.” I laugh and grab his shoulders to steady him.

“Whoops,” Aiden says. He’s swaying even when I hold him still.

“You’ve had a few.”

“Oh, I’ve had more than a few.” He leans closer and lowers his voice, like he’s telling me a secret. “I’ve had so many shots.”

I grin. “How many?”

He looks around like he’s trying to make sure nobody will overhear us.

“Six,” he says in a theatrical whisper.

My grin widens. “It’s been a while for you, huh?”

“I’ve never been drunk.”

“Yeah, come on. We’ll get you some water and some fresh air.”

He follows me to the bar, and I get the water. I look around. Milán is surrounded by people by now. He says something that’s followed by a chorus of laughter. I smile, throw my arm around Aiden’s shoulders, and lead him outside through the back door.

I sit him down on the steps and hand him the glass of water. He drinks, and we’re both silent for a while. The air is cool, but it’s a nice change from the stuffiness of the bar.

“So?” I ask. “Doctor Corbin. What does it feel like?”

“I was already a doctor.”

“It’s even more official now. If I fell on my head now… I’d let you operate on me.”

“You wouldn’t have before?” he asks with a grin.