"NO WAY! Benjamin Soto! How are you doing, man?!" My best friend from high school, Christopher "Kit" Carver, approaches our table.
"Carlie!" I low growl, having a feeling that she somehow orchestrated this whole thing.
"I may know that he works in sales at the Lexus dealership across the street." She says twirling her French fry in ketchup and smiling like she pulled a fast one.
Kit and I were inseparable except for the time I spent alone with Rebecca. We could have passed for twins when we were younger, but it looks like we have diverged some with age. He is dressed formally in a suit and tie, clean-shaven and looking every bit the part of a high-end dealership sales representative. Meanwhile, my hair has grown, my chin fuzzy, and my skin inked.
I stand as he reaches the table. He doesn't hesitate to reach out and hug me. I let him. I mean we were that level of friends before, but I'm instantly reminded of the last time he hugged me. Rebecca's funeral.
"I heard a rumor from a little birdie that you were moving home." He says, gripping my shoulders.
"Yeah, with my dad, I decided local might be better." I said, not ready to share all the layers of complexity behind my decision.
"And he got a job offer from the park." Carlie brags.
"That's amazing, man. I know that's a dream come true for you." Kit says softly and again, I read the unspoken sentiment. Except for the whole part where you're alone because your wife died.
"Thanks, man. So, what about you? A suit in the middle of the day?" I tease.
He laughs. "Well it turns out I'm really good at persuading people to buy expensive cars. If I have to wear a suit to make it happen, so be it."
"Sounds like you're adulting just right." I acknowledge. He looks good, but I'm definitely sensitive to the concept that looks can be deceiving.
"Yeah, I actually have been seeing a girl now for a little over a year now, too. It's pretty serious." He says with a nod and the distant look of a man in love.
"Maybe you should all get together. I'm sure she has some single friends." Carlie suggests a little too forcefully.
Kit senses the shift in my body and proceeds cautiously, "I'd love for you to meet her. She is actually working at the park this summer as a choreographer. Her roommate from college told her about the spot. She works there too. It might be good to have some friends starting a new job."
I can tell that Kit isn't pushing an agenda the way Carlie is. I swallow my dread and nod. "That would be nice."
"Awesome. Is your number the same?" He asks, pulling out his phone.
"It is."
"Great, I'll take to Desi and we'll find a time to make it work." Kit says, excitedly. "I gotta get back, but real good to see you. I like the tatts. I always knew you were the bad boy between the two of us."
"Maybe on the outside," I joke. Kit was definitely the rebel between the two of us in high school, but maybe that was because Rebecca's condition forced me to grow up faster back then.
As I watch Kit leave, Carlie sits up all proud of herself for helping me to reconnect. I throw a straw wrapper at her, landing it in her soft waves.
"I hope you're happy. You get to do that once. No more surprises, got it?" I make sure my voice has a stern edge to it.
"Fair enough, but I knew Kit would be there for you. It's just icing on the cake to learn that his woman also works at the park." She responds, plucking the wrapper from her hair.
YOU ARE READING
The Moment Before You Fall
Romance*** COMPLETED STORY *** Benjamin has had a rough start to adulthood. He married his high school sweetheart knowing full well that her life expectancy was short. But he gave her what he could in the time she lived. Now he's home, starting over in a n...
