Page 78 of Napkins and Other Distractions
“When are you meeting the wife?” Ruth says, and my eyes go wide.
“Ex-wife,” Kent corrects. “And we haven’t talked about it.”
“You have to meet Corrine. She’s lovely.” Ruth takes a sip from her water bottle. “She’ll adore you.”
I look at Kent and give a small shrug. He pats my back twice. The pressure soothes me, but I wish he would press even harder.
“Well, gentlemen, I’ll leave you to … be gay.”
I smile, and a laugh escapes. “I’m quite good at it,” I say. “Years of practice.”
“Oh, Kent. I like him.”
Ruth heads for the door but turns back before leaving. “Have a dinner, Kent. Invite Corrine. And me. I want to see her face when she meets this hot man.”
“Um,” Kent mumbles. “Sure. Okay.”
Ruth leaves us, and Kent removes his hand from my back.
“You up for that? Meeting Corrine?”
“Sure. She won’t hate me, right?”
“Vincent, I can’t imagine anyone hating you. Ruth is right. Corrine will adore you. Mainly because I do,” he says with a wink.
I nod quickly.
“I’ll arrange it.” Kent jots something on a sticky note.
“Now, let’s talk about this training,” I say, opening my laptop, firing up the presentation, and attempting to shift gears. Meeting Kent’s ex-wife definitely means something. Sure, the stress might be triggering, but Kent will be there. If Kent and I are going to be more than friends, meeting the ex-wife he’s still close with probably needs to happen. Deep breaths. I’ve totally got this.
CHAPTER 26
Kent
“You roasted a chicken?”
Corrine’s question doubles as an accusation. She knows the comforting effects of my roasted chicken well. Thyme, rosemary, with a pinch of crushed red pepper, soothes the soul with the added benefit of creating leftovers for chicken soup. My bubbe would be proud.
“It’s my most impressive meal, and this is the first time I’ve cooked for—”
“Your boyfriend.”
“I was going to say, Vincent.” I stir the mashed potatoes on the stove, they’re thick and creamy. “I’m not sure we’re calling each other that.”
“Why not? You’re dating, right?” Corrine asks.
“Yes.”
“And neither one of you is seeing anyone else?”
“No.”
“Kenny, my friend. You’re boyfriends.”
“You sound like Gillian.”
“Where do you think she gets it from?” A satisfied smile spreads across her face.
