“Well, I’m glad we’re friends,” I tell him. “How is it being on the road?” I ask him, taking a bite of my chicken.

“It sucks, but it’s part of the job. Luckily, we’re here for Halloween,” he says, taking a bite of his own fish.

“Are you going to the monster mash up or whatever it is?” I ask him and wonder if he’ll bring a date.

“No,” he says right away. “I don’t do those things.”

“But you have to show up,” I tell him.

“No, I don’t,” he says. “I already declined the invitation, and it’s not mandatory. The only thing I will do is the hospital visits with the kids.”

“Yeah, that is one I never miss,” I tell him.

“I know,” he says, and I look at him. “Not going to lie, it was one of the reasons I went in the first place, and then it just was the right thing to do.”

“You went for me?” I ask, shocked in a way.

“Vivienne, you know I’ve wanted you for a long time,” he says, chewing. “This isn’t surprising to you.”

“I know,” I say, looking down at my meal. “It’s just, I didn’t know.”

He shrugs and laughs. “Not something I announced to the world.”

I don’t say anything because I can’t. I want to tell him that I want to go home with him. I want to wake up with him tomorrow and then have dinner tomorrow night. “How is your chicken?” he asks, and I just nod at him.

“Great. Good,” I say, and then for the rest of the meal, I’m quieter than normal, but I’m blaming the wine when I finally walk into my house and walk to the kitchen and see that the fish is still moving. He didn’t even ask for the fish this time. It’s like he’s really over us. I should be happy, but I’m not. I walk over to the fish and give her a little treat of extra food and then turn off the light, but his bowl still lights up. I got bored one day and ordered a glow in the dark fish toy so he isn’t in the dark the whole time.

I get into bed and text Karrie.

Me: When are we getting together?

Karrie: I can come up tomorrow lunch?

Me: Yes.

I put my phone down but text him one more time.

Me: Thanks for today, it was a lot of fun.