Page 77 of Someone Just Like You

“Aha. Got it.”

“Are you all right? It’s not like you to FaceTime me in the middle of the day.”

The guy on the television yelled something about naughty Santa. “Which episode are you watching? Is Wade wearing a shirt?”

“No idea. It’s background noise. Listen, I’m shivering in my towel. Can we talk later?” Esther giggled and then…nothing.

“Hello? Are you there?” The call dropped. I tried to recollect the last time Esther hadgiggled—never. It must have been areallyfunny episode.

I sat back down and clicked my Outlook calendar to check the status of my open requisitions, but the words blended together on the page. I reached for the phone again.

“How are things in the new place?” I worried about my dad living alone for the first time in thirty-seven years.

“I’ve been using the gym every day. Have you ever ridden a Peloton bike?”

“I’ve taken spin classes, but never Peloton. I’ll try yours when I visit.” I used to cycle regularly until my favorite instructor, Adina, stopped teaching. I twirled a hair around my finger. “How’s your eating?”

“Mom? Is that you calling from heaven? Will you ask about my bowel movements next?”

“Ew,” I said, scrunching up my face. “I don’t want you getting bad habits and having a heart attack like Randy is all.”

“Don’t worry about me. I have dinner plans tonight and it’s not fast food.”

I tugged on my bottom lip. “Dinner plans? Is this…is it a date?” Dread tugged at my chest. Even though I’d accepted their separation, I still wasn’t ready for my parents to date unless it was each other.

“Squirrel, I promise I’m not in the market for your stepmother.” He chuckled.

“I don’t want to know if you are.” I bit back the smile I knew matched his. My indifference fooled no one. “Besides, last I checked you were still married to Mom, so unless that’s changed, I can’t have a stepmother.” I held my breath.

“The status has not changed, but I’m a grown man who, believe it or not, is fully capable of taking care of himself and, in fact, enjoys it.Capisce?”

“Understood,” I muttered, duly chastised by his uncharacteristic stern tone. “Enjoy your dinner.”

We ended the call, and I returned my attention to my calendar, but it was no use. Then my phone pinged a text.

Jude:Come over after work. I have something to show you.

It was like he was an empath and knew I needed a distraction. Maybe he’d finally read through the restaurant material.

Molly:On my way.

I logged off my computer, grabbed my coat and purse, and headed out.

Chapter Thirty-Six

When I arrived at Jude’s building, I waved at the doorman on my way to the elevator bank without stopping. He knew me by now and would either announce my arrival to Jude or not. As soon as I stepped into the hallway on his floor, I heard the music coming from inside his apartment. When I reached his door, I recognized the song as “Take Me Home, Country Roads” by John Denver, but it was definitely not John Denver singing. And it wasn’t Jude, who had perfect pitch, which left Alex or Jerry, unless they’d invited someone else over.

I knocked three times. When no one answered, I knocked harder. “Hello? It’s Molly.”

From the other side, muffled voices called, “It’s open!”

I turned the knob and entered the apartment.

Yogi ran right over to me, the bell on his bowtie collar ringing. I bent to pet him and greeted the guys over the sound of Alex singing (if you could call it that) into a microphone.

I joined the two of them in the center of the room.

“Check it out!” Jude said, with a soft kiss to my lips. He pointed to a small portable speaker with a computer screen attached to the top. “One of our neighbors sold us his karaoke machine for a song. Pun intended. Grab a drink if you need to loosen up before you’re up.”

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