27 Are We Good Now?

27

are we good now?

Alexander

Eataly is this giant three-story Italian food haven in Los Angeles with two restaurants, a cannoli bar, an espresso bar, a wine bar, a salami bar, a freakin’ homemade pasta bar, along with endless rows of Italian imported goods. I could literally spend days here. Kate and I are roaming the aisles as we wait to be called to our dinner table

Earlier today, I golfed with the boys, then left them with Dani so I could do some damage control with Kate before leaving for Vail later tonight.

Kate is currently perusing a glass display housing a vast selection of Italian chocolate truffles. “Do you see something you want?” I ask.

“No, I’m just looking.”

“Let’s get some truffles. Pick out a few,” I say.

“Am I getting apology chocolates?” Kate and I have never really argued .

She’s very easy to get along with, not dramatic and overall low maintenance. However, she is irritated that I’m flying to Vail with Dani and the boys and not her and Tristan, and I’m not tolerating her silent tantrum well.

“Do I need to apologize for wanting to fly to my sister’s wedding with my own children?”

She’s not looking up at me as she talks. She’s still bent over the display case. “I just don’t understand why we couldn’t all fly together.”

“I already told you, Kate. Because I told my sister I would be out there first thing in the morning tomorrow to help Josh set up the ceremony area. Dani promised to help my mom with the flowers. It’s not my fault you have to work.”

“I just thought you’d wait.”

Now I’m really losing my patience. “You were invited to the wedding,” I say in a tone that makes it sound like I’m telling her she should be grateful.

She stands up straight and faces me. We’re just inches apart. I’m looking into her narrowed eyes. “Do you not want me and Tristan there?”

“I didn’t say that. Can we please not fight about this?”

“Is this our first fight, Alex?”

“I don’t think it warrants a fight, but yes, I guess we are fighting.” Neither one of us is moving, we’re just staring at each other. “I want you there, Kate.”

“I personally would go for the hazelnut truffles,” comes a man’s voice from behind us. I recognize it immediately.

I look behind me to see Lars standing there. I haven’t seen him in years. Long before all the rumors about him and Dani started flying, he and I actually got along. “Lars,” I say, without emotion .

“Hello, Alex.”

“Lars, this is Kate, my girlfriend. I’m sure Dani told you that we’re divorced now.”

He nods. “She did.”

“Kate,” I say, “This is Lars, Dani’s ex…colleague.” Kate and Lars shake hands.

“Dani and I are actually working together again,” Lars says.

The fucking nerve of this guy. “Of course you are,” I say.

“Hello,” comes another man’s voice from behind Lars. He peeks his head around and waves to Kate and me. He’s younger than Lars, attractive, and smiling widely. “I’m Neal.” He reaches his hand out to Kate first, then me.

“This is my husband, Neal,” Lars says.

I stand there trying to put together the events of my life over the past five years. “Nice to meet you,” I say quietly. “Lars, were you always…”

“Gay?” Lars says. “Yes. I was always gay, Alex.” He chuckles and glances over to Neal.

“But why—”

“Alex, can I have a word with you?” Lars says.

I look over at Kate, who doesn’t seem fazed. “Sure.”

We step to the side. Lars can be intimidating, but right now he looks apologetic. “I’m sorry, Alex.” He shakes his head and looks away. “I could barely admit it to myself. I was living a lie. It’s terrible, but I was waiting for my father to pass and—”

“You don’t have to apologize. Honestly, your orientation or when you wanted to come out is none of my business, or anyone else’s.” I do wish I would have known, though, it might have stifled some of the arguments.

“I feel partially responsible…for you and Dani…you know. I just…I should have called you.”

I’m blinking, expressionless, looking for something malicious in his eyes, but there’s nothing. Just regret and remorse. “I know it seemed like a really big deal, but Dani and I were near the end already. I don’t think it would have made a difference.”

“Dani said the same thing, but I’m not sure I believe either one of you.”

Does Lars really have the right to know the inner workings of my relationship with Dani?

“I love Danielle, I do. We were just not good at being married anymore. For a long time. We would still be together right now if this were only because she slept with you.” I smile. “Honestly. I would have forgiven her for that. Hell, I did forgive her for that and it didn’t even happen!”

He exhales out of his nose and shakes his head like he’s exasperated. “It’s a shame, because I like you both so much,” he says.

“I appreciate you saying that. It’s all water under the bridge.”

“Yeah.” He looks up at the ceiling in thought for a momentbefore looking back at me and smiling. “So, you went younger?”

“Well, it looks like you did too,” I say lightheartedly. “It’s fun, you know?”

“It’ll do for now,” he fires back with a wink. “No one is as fun as Dani though.”

I nod and smile. He’s not wrong.

We hug. I feel a tremendous sense of relief, not just knowing Dani never cheated, but also, oddly, because Lars and Dani are working together again. He’s always been in her corner, and she deserves that support, which I hadn’t been giving her.

“Our table is ready,” Kate says behind me. We say our goodbyes to Lars and Neal.

“I’m so looking forward to a glass of wine,” Kate says.

I’m not paying attention to her. All I can think about is telling Dani that I know the truth now, and I also want to congratulate her on getting Lars on board for the show. They make an amazing writing team.

“Did you hear me?” Kate whines.

“No,” I say. “Remember? I’m hard of hearing.”