Page 55 of Go Back to December

“People other than me need to hear that from you.”

He ducks his head.

“And I’m going to require more than two words to understand what happened today.”

“You’re right. I owe you an explanation. I’m—working on it.” He pauses. “I’m trying to find the right way. To talk about it. Without—”

“Without?”

“Without fucking up.”

Baz is a litigator. His sharp wit and quick comebacks are well-honed tricks of his trade. Watching him sputter and struggle for words is painful. It softens my anger. “You’re letting perfection be the enemy of the good.”

“There is nothing good about any of it.”

He limps back to the coffee table to retrieve his small taste of wine.

“Are you allowed to be drinking?” I ask.

“I’m off the hard stuff. Downshifted to anti-inflammatories.”

Since his car is safe in the garage, we’re apparently allowed to enjoy an adult beverage.

He rubs the back of his neck. “What?”

“Nothing,” I reply defensively.

“You’re making a face.”

Not a pleasant one, I’ll wager. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you drink before.”

“I never drink at work functions.”

A policy few Money Honeys favor. Most imbibe like it’s their job.

“Are you dating Justin?”

The conversation turns so quickly it gives me whiplash. My dating status is not on the list of things we need to unpack from today. It’s none of his business.

But if we’re fake dating, I suppose it is. And after those touches in the dark last night, maybe Baz wants to ensure he wasn’t out of line.

“Lacy said you weren’t seeing anyone,” he says awkwardly, almost apologetically.

“You asked Lacy who I was dating?” She never mentioned it to me.

“Technically, Dooley asked Lacy.”

I’m about to ask if this conversation happened before or after the train station, but the mention of Dooley’s name makes my pulse race. Multiple people have been involved in a conversation about Baz and me and dating.

“Are you?” he asks again, impatience creeping into his tone.

“I know Justin from the documentary.” I cross my arms. “We’re not dating. We’ve never dated. I’m surprised the subject hasn’t come up, since he and you are groom bros!”

Baz opens his mouth, then closes it.

Busted. “You suggested he profile the café for his documentary.”

“That sounds like an accusation.”