“I only asked for the damn divorce because you were so adamant on wanting children and I knew that was going to mess us up sooner or later.”

“You took a job in California without consulting me about it,” I say, and realize I’m probably shouting now when he winces. “I mean, what the fuck?”

“I only took that job because . . .” He frowns and stops talking suddenly, then exhales. “I don’t know, Van. It felt like we were over before I took that job.”

“It didn’t feel that way to me,” I whisper. “But it’s fine. I’m fine, Adam. I’m happy you have a killer job.”

The server interrupts our conversation, and because I’m so caught up in it still, I order my usual after all. So much for trying to be hardheaded and prove him wrong. When she walks away, Adam smirks and I roll my eyes once more.

“The divorce has been great for me,” I say, “I traveled Europe with my sister. I met so many people I probably wouldn’t have met and overall I’m pretty happy, so I’m fine. You don’t have to worry about me and I definitely don’t hate you, if that’s what you’re worried about, but I don’t really want to be your date to anything.”

“I figured you’d say that. Emma told me I should ask anyway.”

“Of course she did.” I shake my head. “Your sister is something else.”

“But you love her. You see my family more than I do.”

“Hey, I wasn’t the one who moved all the way across the country.” I shrug a shoulder. “Who am I to turn down your mother’s famous schnitzels? Besides, you go to my parents’ house every time you’re in town.”

“Well, who am I to turn down your mother’s mangú?”

“So basically we’re just a bunch of divorced foodies who can’t not be around each other’s families.” I smile. “I mean, we did always say we’d stay friends no matter what.”

“Exactly.” Adam slaps the table. “Exactly. That’s why I’ve been calling and texting. I miss my friend. We’ve known each other since we were kids, Van. You’re the only reason everyone at our high school thought I was kind of edgy.”

That makes me laugh. “They didn’t think you were edgy. They were just willing to overlook what a major nerd you were.”

“Same difference.” He shrugs with a wide smile on his face. “Either way, people stopped messing with me the minute you started walking the halls by my side.”

“That’s because I grew up with all those hoodlums and I knew all of their mothers.” I thank the server for the coffee she sets in front of us, then look back at Adam. “Jody’s son is in my class.”

“Jody Donovan?”

“Yep.”