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Like tearing off a Band-Aid, I say, “We’re dating.”
Oh my God. Are we dating?
Enzo comes out of nowhere, like an archangel swooping in out of the dark to rescue me.
“Seriously?” Devon says, his eyes bugging out. I can’t tell if he’s pissed or not.
“It hasn’t been for long,” I rush to add. “Just since he was here last time.”
Devon shifts his attention to Enzo.
“You’re here for Chari?” he asks, deadpan.
Enzo doesn’t hesitate. “Yes. And your birthday.”
“Details?”
It’s like they’re speaking their own guy language now, and I’m just a bystander to the conversation.
“We started talking after that weekend. And then she came out to New York for a night.”
Devon turns back to me. “How did I not notice you were gone?”
I shrug. “I just went for dinner and came back early. You’re not my keeper,” I say, starting to get defensive.
Enzo continues in a much calmer tone. “We’ve been talking since then. And Chari agreed to accompany me to Switzerland next week.”
Geez, when he tells the truth, he goes all in. No sugarcoating. I would have tried easing Devon in a little first, but what the hell. Now he knows everything.
“I see,” Devon says. He doesn’t really sound upset. But you never can tell with him.
“When did you plan on telling me?”
I jump in. “On Monday.”
Devon makes a face.
“After your birthday. Just in case you were pissed.”
He rolls his eyes. “You’re so much like Mom it’s scary.”
He says it like it’s a bad thing, or at least an annoying thing.
“I wish you’d told me sooner,” he says. “But you don’t have to look at me like that, Char. I only care that you’re happy. You should know that. I know I can be an overprotective asshole, but Enzo isn’t just any guy.”
I let out a deep breath and give Enzo anI told you solook.
“I know but . . . I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.”
Devon wraps his arms around me, and I feel like I can finally breathe normally again. He knows, and it’s okay. I haven’t ruined anything, and now Enzo and I don’t have to keep things secret anymore.
“It’s fine. Let’s get back to the party,” he says, and I could not be more relieved.
“Sounds good to me.” I glance at Enzo, but he’s not moving. Instead, he and my brother are looking at each other. Which makes me think there’s several layers of subtext I’m missing here. Maybe things aren’t so okay after all.
“I’ll catch up with you in a sec,” Enzo says.
Without any other choice, I walk back to the bar wishing I could stay to . . . what? Protect Enzo? I was just caught lying to my brother, and yet I’m worried about him. Which is silly. He’s a big boy and can take care of himself.
