“So, wait. He went all these years not knowing he had a kid? Jesus, Blaire. What does he say about Carrie now that he’s met her?”

I couldn’t help my smile. “He’s crazy about her, Bode. He gets so excited about every little thing I tell him. We told her yesterday that he’s her father. I was expecting some big dramatic scene, but she just said, ‘Cool,’ and hopped up in his lap.”

“That’s our sweet little Carrie. She loves everybody,” he said with an affectionate grin.

The server dropped our food off, and we started to eat.

“He wanted to do something fun with her yesterday, so we took her to the zoo. I swear, they didn’t get an inch from each other all day long. Tonight he’s taking her to Chuck E. Cheese, bless his heart.”

Bode chuckled wickedly. “Brave man. That place is like the seventh circle of hell.” He took a bite of his steak and swallowed before speaking again. “So, where does that leave you and him?”

“He says he still loves me. That he’s never gotten over me.” Bode just stared at me, waiting for me to continue. I gnawed my bottom lip and admitted, “And I’ve never gotten over him either. I love him so much, Bode, but I can’t bring myself to tell him yet.”

“Blaire, honey. You have five years of hurt to get over. You’ll tell him when you’re ready.”

“He wants me and Carrie to move in with him.” Bode dropped his fork to his plate in surprise but quickly picked it back up and resumed eating. “Meanwhile, Evan has gotten back together with his ex, Steve, and we’re getting a divorce.” He continued chewing, not registering any shock at all over the news about Evan. “You don’t seem surprised,” I said.

Bode smirked at me. “What? You think I don’t have gaydar? I think we all knew, but no one really talks about it much because it doesn’t matter. He treats you and Carrie well, so…” He took another bite of his steak and chewed thoughtfully. “Blaire, have you thought that maybe all this happening at the same time is some kind of sign? Like, Evan wanting a divorce at exactly the same time Axel asks you to move in with him… maybe that means it’s the right time for you and Axel.”

Could that be true? Could the universe be saying that it’s finally our time? Pointing my fork full of mashed potatoes at Bode, I said, “You know, you might be onto something. You’re much smarter than you look, dude.”