“Peace offering,” he announced.
Karen looked up from the counter.
“What did you do?”
“Why does everyone assume I did something?”
“Experience,” I replied.
He pulled a bottle of wine from the bag and placed it on the counter.
“Dinner at my place on Sunday. Both of you. No arguments about the divorce, no discussions about Dad, and absolutely no romantic behavior that makes me regret inviting you.”
Karen laughed.
“We’ll try our best.”
“Please do. I’m emotionally exhausted.”
He kissed his mother on the cheek and headed for the door.
Before leaving, he turned toward me.
“Alex?”
“Yeah?”
“I’m glad you’re still my best friend.”
I smiled.
“Me too.”
He nodded and walked outside.
Karen watched him through the window until he disappeared around the corner.
Then she turned toward me.
“Do you ever wonder what would have happened if Daniel hadn’t called you that night?”
I thought about the rain, the broken car, the diner, and the woman who had sat beside me with tears in her eyes.
