The inside of Lauren’s apartment smelled delicious. Lauren led him over to the little table off the kitchen. A huge cast-iron skillet sat in the middle of the table. It looked to be filled with poached eggs laying on a bed of chunky tomato sauce.
“It’s called shakshuka,” Caleb said. “Poached eggs in a tomato-based sauce with lots of vegetables. I added feta, too.”
“They taught you how to make this in cooking class?” Josh sat at the table and let the spices in the sauce tickle his nose.
“No, actually, Lindsay sent me the recipe. I asked for her suggestions for some more challenging meals. This actually wasn’t that hard. It’s mostly throwing stuff in a skillet and letting it simmer for a bit.”
“It smells great.”
As Lauren sat at the table, she said, “Is everything okay? You look weird.”
“What does that mean?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. I can’t read your face.”
“I just ran into Paige.”
Understanding dawned. “Ah. How was that?”
“Okay. Awkward. But we called a truce and agreed to be friends. So I guess that’s it.”
Lauren frowned. “I don’t understand.”
Josh glanced at Caleb, who busied himself with dishing out portions of his shakshuka to everyone. Then he turned back to Lauren. “What don’t you understand?”
“I will admit to being weirded out by you and Paige at first, but the more I thought about it, the more it made sense to me. I figured you kids had what it took to make it. I mean, she’s crazy about you.”
“Apparently not.”
“How do you feel about that?”
Josh was tempted to snap at her—What are you, my shrink?—but he thought better of it. She was just trying to help. “I mean, it’s fine. Gives me time to focus back on work, I guess.”
“Doesn’t all work and no play do something to a man?” Caleb said as he settled into his chair.
“I tried,” Josh said. “I told her how I felt. I told her I wanted to be with her. But I can’t be the only one willing to put myself out there.”
Caleb nodded. “No, I know.” He tasted a spoonful of sauce. “Oh, man. That’s good. I’m a great cook.”
Lauren laughed. “Thanks, honey. It’s good that you impress yourself.”
“Do you not like it?”
“No, it’s great. Youarea good cook.”
Caleb looked a little smug as he ate another spoonful. Then he said, “Josh, I know we’re not, like, super close friends of anything, but can I give you a little advice?”
“Sure.” Josh respected Caleb and knew he’d been divorced shortly before he met Lauren. If anyone could understand what Josh was currently going through, it was Caleb.
“Don’t repeat my mistakes. My first marriage ended because I was so self-absorbed I didn’t notice my ex was unhappy. I was trying to get a business off the ground at the time, so I completely understand work taking over your life. And it’s not really worth it in the long run. Not that I wish I was still married to my first wife.” He looked at Lauren. “What I meant to say was…”
“Caleb, it’s fine,” said Lauren, taking his hand where it sat on the table.
“Anyway. Work is important, and if you’ve got a career you’re passionate about, that’s awesome. But don’t let it be at the expense of a well-rounded life. I honestly think that working more reasonable hours in a shared practice and marrying Lauren are the two smartest decisions I ever made.”
Lauren smiled, her cheeks going pink.
“Gross,” said Josh, though he laughed.
