Page 28 of The Truths We Find

“Look who I found sitting at the bar by himself,” Sam says as he slips into the seat next to Dani.

He sets the gin and tonic in front of her and places a quick kiss on her cheek.

“Sam invited me to join you guys,” I say cautiously. “Hope that’s alright.”

“Yeah, of course,” Alexa answers. “Have a seat.”

I slide in next to her and place her martini on the table.

“You’re an angel,” she exclaims, taking a big sip.

“I aim to please.” I smile.

“Trying to take credit for my generosity, Baker?” Sam sniggers.

I grind my back molars, repeating in my head over and over not to punch him. Apparently, that’s my mantra of the evening. I hold my glass up towards him. “Thanks for the drinks, Sam.”

Everyone sits in silence for a few moments, sipping their drinks.

“I’ll take awkward encounters for one-thousand, Alex,” I mumble into my glass.

“What do you mean?” Alexa looks my way.

I lift an eyebrow, giving her a look that clearly says you can’t be serious. “Obviously Dani told you about our past.”

“Wait, what past?” Alexa is not good at playing dumb.

“Really, Alexa? You honestly expect me to believe Dani didn’t tell you about me the minute I walked into the newsroom? You can’t possibly think I’m that stupid.”

“Yeah…” Alexa hesitates. “I wasn’t going to be able to sell that for very long. Worth a shot.” She takes a sip of her martini. “But hold on. How did Sam know who you were at the bar?”

I look at Dani, who’s obviously trying to avoid eye contact with me.

“You didn’t tell her?” I ask her.

“It’s been kind of the week from hell. I was getting there.”

Alexa tilts her head in confusion. “Dani? What don’t I know?”

Dani closes her eyes, bracing herself. “Sam, Gavin, and I used to all hang out together back when Gavin and I were together.”

I notice Sam’s jaw clench when she mentions Dani and I being together. I love it.

“Oh my God!” Alexa squeals. “Was this like a threesome thing? Danielle, I didn’t know you had it in you, you dirty bird.”

“Alexa!” Dani yelps, burying her face in her hands.

At the same time, Sam screams, “Fuck no,” while I cut in, “Not on his life.”

Everyone takes a large swig of their drinks.

“No, no, no,” Dani practically begs. “Nothing like that. You know Sam was my best friend before we started dating. He came to visit a lot when Gavin and I lived together and would crash on the couch. They didn’t exactly get along, as much as I wished they did. When Gavin and I broke up…” Hearing those words still sends a sharp pain through my chest. “Sam was there for me.”

“Oh. Well, that’s awkward,” Alexa says.

“Tell me about it,” Sam grumbles. “But she ended up with the right guy in the end.”

Don’t punch him. Don’t punch him. Don’t punch him.