Page 74 of The Holy Grail
Jules turned to Malcom. “You know, to this day, David refuses to acknowledge I was the one to get them together.”
“I’ve acknowledged your part in getting Paige into the bar, but after that, it was all my charm,” David said. “Whichyouhave never acknowledged.”
“Speaking of charm …” Paige shifted the conversation and leveled her attention on Malcom. “Why don’t you tell David how you and Jules met? That’s a fun story.”
As Malcom shared the details of that eventful night, he found himself really opening up in a way he hadn’t in a long time. He’d felt closed off and isolated after his divorce, but now, in this moment, he was comfortable and content. The loneliness which had been his constant companion for the past few years had all but disappeared when Jules took up residence in his life, and as the three people at the table laughed at Malcom’s version of meeting Jules, he began to feel the beginnings of … friendship.
It was like getting a glimpse into his future, and he liked it. He liked it a lot.
It did, however, scare the shit out of him a little bit, because he didn’t want to lose it.
Chapter 22
Catching up
It was still relatively early in the evening when Evan glanced up to see David arriving at Three Amigos. Evan hadn’t seen his friend in several weeks, so it was a welcome sight.
“Hey, man,” he called out. “It’s good to see you.”
“Good to see you, too, Dick,” David returned, sitting on a stool and placing his forearms on the polished surface of the wooden bar.
“You want something to drink?” Evan asked, only to pivot almost immediately. “Wait? Are you allowed to drink?”
“Why wouldn’t I be allowed to drink?”
“Well, things change when you get married. Or so I’ve heard.”
“They don’t changethatmuch. I can still have a beer when I want.” Then, apparently seeing Evan was just throwing shit, David raised his eyebrows and said blandly, “Why don’t you quit being a dick and get me a beer? Thatiswhat I came in here for, after all.”
“I thought you came in for the company.”
David glanced around at the sparsely populated bar, then back to Evan. “Oh, you meantyou.”
After rolling his eyes, Evan rummaged around in the cooler and pulled out three bottles, setting them in front of David—a Sheep Shagger, a Purple Monkey Dishwasher, and a Great Big Kentucky Sausage Fest.
After much consideration, David chose the Great Big Kentucky Sausage Fest. Evan returned the other two bottles to the cooler, before handing David a glass and leaning against the bar. “Speaking of marriage, how’s Cat Lady?”
“She’s great. She just had another doctor’s appointment, and we got a new ultrasound.” David dug out his wallet and retrieved a small, grainy black and white picture from inside, then slid it over to Evan, who eagerly took it. He knew, because of Paige’s history, she was having one done every month, and so each month he got to see the current picture of what had been determined to be a boy.
“He’s looking good,” Evan approved.
“Yes, he is.”
Evan squinted at the picture. “You know, I think his penis has gotten a lot bigger since last month. In fact, I think it might be almost as big as yours—”
“Piss off.”
Evan handed the sonogram back with a chuckle before turning serious. “So, how’s Jacob?”
David finished pouring his beer and took a quick drink before answering. “He’s good. He loves his kindergarten class, even though his ‘girlfriends’, Kelsey and Emma, are in it, and he and Paige are like two peas in a pod—they get closer every day. I think she’s trying to form a really strong bond with him before the baby arrives.”
“Is he looking forward to being a big brother?”
David nodded.
“That’s great.” Then, after a pause, Evan asked, “How’s Jacob doing with all the Ashley fallout?”
“He’s had a few bad days, but he’s had several more therapy sessions and seems to be adjusting relatively well … but I think most of that is Paige’s influence, to be honest. She understands him on a level no one else does, and he really responds to that.”
