Page 182 of The Infiniteness of Yesterday
“Are you going to get ice cream and sit with us?” Monroe asks eagerly.
“Oh, um…”
“I’m sure Jae has to grab his ice cream and leave,” I tell her. Forcing my eyes back to his, I add, “But you’re welcome to sit with us if you want.”
I haven’t laid eyes on him in months, and he looks rough. Slimmer, with tired eyes, and his hair shaggier than normal. He pushes his glasses up and nods.
“It’s good to see you,” he says to Monroe. He crouches down to be on her level. “Can I have a hug?”
She doesn’t hesitate to wrap her arms around his neck, and he closes his eyes, a look that’s almost like relief on his face.
When he straightens, Roe takes his hand and tugs him over to the glass case. “Pick your flavor, Jae.”
He glances at me again, a hint of amusement on his lips.
After he’s ordered and paid, Roe drags him over to our table.
“Roe,” I scold lightly. “Let him go. He might need to leave.”
She releases his hand with a huff. “Is that true? Do you need to leave?” she asks him accusingly.
“No, I … uh … I can stay. If it’s cool with your mom.” He cocks his head to the side, gauging my reaction.
“I already said you could sit with us.”
He shrugs. “I thought you were only being cordial.”
“No.” I tuck my hair behind my ears. “Sit with us.”
It’s awkward, there’s no denying that, but it’s also good to see him.
“How have you been?” I ask. It feels weird making small talk with someone I once knew so intimately.
He laughs, the sound not quite humorous, but not hollow either. “I’ve been better.”
“Yeah,” I sigh. “I should’ve guessed that.”
“How are you and Spencer?” he asks, and I know what he’s getting at.
“I’m fine, but we’re not together.”
He frowns. “You’re not?”
“No.” I lick my spoon clean. “I don’t think jumping into a relationship right now is in my best interest. I’m going to therapy and trying to fix me.”
Surprise fills his eyes. “Good for you.”
“My aunt Willa got married,” Roe interrupts. “I got to be the flower girl.”
“Oh?” he asks surprised. “When did that happen?”
“About three weeks ago now,” I answer.
“I didn’t know they were planning to get married this summer?” There’s an accusation in his tone, like maybe I purposely kept this information from him.
“It was a surprise to all of us. She was able to secure an internship at St. Joseph’s, so they were in the area all summerand I think with everyone being so close they thought it made the most sense.”
“Yeah, I suppose that does. And good for her on the internship.”
