Amanda held up a second finger. “Let’s ignore that he’s fresh out of a marriage. Does the ex know?”
That hadn’t even crossed my mind. I went to speak and stopped. Huh, I didn’t know the answer to this one. He said things had ended peacefully between them, but in my experience, exes didn’t always approve of being dropped for the opposite sex.
“Strike one,” she said. “This kid?—”
“Lucas.”
“Lucas. Jason, are you ready for somebody to call you daddy?”
“Usually, he’s the one?—”
“Ew.” Amanda held a finger up to Jon’s lips. “Don’t put that image in my head.”
Much to my mother’s dismay, I had never thought about having kids of my own. It wasn’t like I could swing by the store and pick one out of the litter. After hearing horror stories of gay men trying to adopt, it sounded like a world of anxiety and heartbreak. But…
“I’m warming up to the idea. I love working with the kids at the elementary school.”
“You get to give those back at the end of the day.”
She had a point. “Okay, let’s say I’m open to exploring the possibilities of fatherhood.”
Jon gave Amanda a jab to the ribs. “Did you hear that?”
She nodded.
They both laughed.
“What am I missing?” Why was I friends with them?
“That was the sound of your mom jumping in the carand driving to the toy store.” Amanda had heard the many speeches from Mom about settling down. It always ended with her demanding grandkids.
“Hear that? The car is full, and she’s heading to the candy store now.”
“I hate you both.”
“She already has a ‘World’s #1 Nana’ shirt,” Amanda added. “You know we’re right.”
I grumbled. “You are.”
It was Jon who broke up the interrogation. Putting the flowers on the counter, he threw his arms around my neck. “Jason, do you like him?”
His addiction to love needed a dopamine hit. Simon had spent the night dancing with us. His face lit up while we got close and personal on the dance floor. I had thought it wishful thinking until he jumped into the quarry. He surprised me at every turn, and I… I wanted more.
“I like him. Ireallylike him.”
Jon reached for my hand before spinning me about. When he pulled me back in, not even his beard could hide his bright red cheeks. Jon had gotten the love story he needed.
“You’re both so sappy,” Amanda grumbled.
“Somebody’s cranky that a cute girl shot her down,” Jon said.
“No… maybe.”
Jon stepped back, making space between us for her to join. When she didn’t move, he shot her a dirty look. Her head shook back and forth as she gave in and wiggledbetween us. They were the weirdest friends I could ask for, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. It didn’t matter the victory. They’d always be the ones I wanted to celebrate with. Without them, Firefly wouldn’t be bearable.
“Wait!” Jon forced us to stop our awkward group dance number. “You never answered. Does Simon have a brother?”
SUFFERING FROM BIG FEELINGS
