Chapter 14
Chapter
The only time I’ve ever been to Connecticut was a few weeks after Chloe first got a job in Stamford.
It never made a lasting impression. Now, driving into Fairfield, where she currently resides, I’m charmed by the idyllic coastal town.
When Adam turns onto her street, it feels like we’re entering a forest with at least a hundred feet in between each home.
Between Manhattan and Los Angeles, I don’t remember the last time I’ve seen so much foliage.
“You’re heeere!” Chloe squeals as she swings her front door open.
“We’re heeere!” I echo, getting out of the car.
This house is the complete opposite of Perry, from the white walls to the largely open ground-floor plan, vaulted wood ceilings, and tree-filled views. It’s bright and minimalist.
“I should’ve known when Adam said y’all were bringing something, it would be a full-blown catered meal.” Chloe takes the dish from my hand and the box of food from Adam’s. “Harper, it smells delicious.”
“All vegetarian,” he says with a wink.
“You’re the best.” She gives him a quick kiss on the cheek. “Babe! Where are you?!” she shouts over her shoulder, and on cue, Chloe’s wife, Lucia, comes down the stairs holding their son, Teddy, in her arms.
“Welcome!” she practically sings through her British accent.
Her hair is big and curly and she’s wearing a deep red sweater that matches her lipstick and contrasts with her olive skin.
There’s an effortlessly cool aura about her.
She and Chloe never had an official wedding, so the only time I’ve met her was briefly over FaceTime.
It’s hard to believe she’s even more beautiful in person.
“God, June, I can’t believe we’re finally meeting! ”
“I know, it’s about time!” I press my cheek against hers and she gives me an air kiss, but my attention shifts over to Teddy, whom I’ve seen only in pictures and videos. “Are. You. Kidding?! He’s perfect!”
“Thank you! I still cannot believe how lucky we are to have him.” She bounces him on her waist, and he lets out a little giggle.
“And you must be Adam.” Lucia and Adam exchange kisses on both cheeks.
Teddy immediately puts his arms out to Adam and starts opening and closing his fists.
“Oh! Look at that, he likes you!” Lucia seamlessly hands Teddy to Adam, who starts playing with Teddy’s fingers, which causes the toddler to squeal with excitement.
There are certain things that an average person knows about babies—support their necks and don’t wake them while they’re sleeping. But seeing the innate paternal instincts that Adam possesses conjures up a wave of emotions within me that makes it hard to stay reserved.
“Thanks for hosting us,” Adam says, looking over at Lucia.
“Are you kidding? The pleasure is all ours! I’ve heard so much about the two of you. It’s almost criminal that this hasn’t happened sooner.”
Adam and I exchange a look. It still throws me off being referred to as a duo of any kind.
“How old is he?” Adam asks, his focus on Teddy, and I’m not sure if he’s purposely trying to change the subject.
“He’s going to be two in February.” Lucia places a cloth with ducks on Adam’s shoulder.
Maybe it’s the sight of Adam holding a baby, or how effortlessly he and Lucia are hitting it off; it could also very well be the fact that my best friend has the cutest baby I’ve ever seen in my life.
But there’s something about tonight that makes me feel like the Grinch, whose heart is growing in size.
“Okay,” Chloe says as she comes out of the kitchen. “Dinner is pretty much ready so I’m going to herd you all into the dining room.” She motions us out of the front foyer. We all follow, and I catch Chloe elbowing Adam. “Not a bad look, Harper,” she says, nodding to Teddy still in his arms.
He elbows her back and then places Teddy in his high chair beside Lucia, who starts to strap himin.
Chloe subtly pulls me into the kitchen and hands me a charcuterie board. “I read the terms.”
My eyes go wide, and I lean in closer. “And?”
“It’s all legit. House belongs to both of you after the paperwork goes through. I even had a colleague on our real estate team look it over.”
“All right,” I sigh, a slight wave of relief washing over me knowing that this is real. “Okay, wow. Well, thank you.”
She grabs two bottles of wine, and we walk back into the dining room. “So, since Chef Adam here has decided to show us up with his five-course meal, I don’t want anyone saying how good his food is compared to mine when you start eating,” Chloe warnsus.
“So, we should probably get all the praise out of the way now.” Adam winks at her, and the mere gesture makes me look away.
“ Wow. ” Chloe playfully hits his arm. “Look who’s all of a sudden hot shit now that he owns a Michelin-star restaurant.”
“All of a sudden?” He raises an eyebrow.
“This guy.” She rolls her eyes and takes a seat beside Teddy and Lucia while Adam and I sit across from them.
Since day one, Chloe and Adam have had an effortless sibling dynamic.
In a way, I’d say Chloe and Adam are soulmates, platonically, of course.
They’re two of the funniest, most caring, and smartest people I know, and I’ve never been able to keep up with their banter.
“Okay, everyone, dig in!” Lucia claps while Chloe scoops the macaroni and cheese onto a separate silicone plate for Teddy.
Seeing Chloe now with her wife and her child, in their beautiful home, is a stark reminder of how much time has passed.
How much I’ve missed and how much can change.
I tried so hard to create a new life that I didn’t realize there were parts of my old life I’d miss. Parts that I now regret leaving behind.
“ Adam, ” Lucia says after tasting the congee. “You are the real deal.”
“Okay, easy,” Chloe says. “He’s a professional chef.”
“What other talents do we get to witness tonight?” Lucia puts another spoonful in her mouth. “June, do we get a burlesque performance during dessert?”
“Is that an option?” Adam turns tome.
“You wish,” I laugh.
Adam simply raises an eyebrow, and I bite my lip and look down at my food. If I didn’t know any better, I’d almost say we were flirting. Are we flirting?
“But the pleasure is mine, really.” Adam turns to Chloe and Lucia. “It’s been a while since I’ve been able to cook for friends like this.”
What does that mean? What does Adam’s personal life look like? Who are his friends? Why wouldn’t he cook for Kelsey? All details I’ve actively avoided knowing, but that now I feel I need to understand.
“Well, this was so kind. Thank you, Adam.” Lucia tips her glass to him and he nods in return. “June, how’s Los Angeles?”
“It’s good,” I say, because good is really all itis.
“How long have you lived there again?”
“About five years now.” I find myself making a conscious effort to not look at Adam.
“And how are you liking it compared to New York? Do you miss it here?” Lucia scoops a spoonful of mushroom kale bread pudding onto her plate.
“I can’t stand how nobody walks around there,” Chloe says, eating a bite of mac and cheese. “I had to Uber everywhere—it was so weird.”
“My brother just moved there last year,” Lucia says. “And he was saying that working out is like a thing. ”
“Yeah, I mean it’s LA. Everyone’s working out,” Chloe says.
“Yes, but because you don’t get your normal steps in, you probably have to make a conscious effort to be in shape.”
“Well then, it would be perfect for Adam,” Chloe says, and he smirks to himself.
“I will say, if you’re into hiking”—I look at Lucia—“there are some really nice trails.”
“You know, babe.” Lucia pats Chloe’s leg. “We should really make a trip down there. It would be nice to see Gerardo too.”
“Yeah, we’re long overdue,” Chloe says with a nod.
“So, how did the two of you meet?” Adam asks.
“Bumble,” Chloe and Lucia say in unison, then Lucia adds, “Fun fact—she was my first match ever.” She blushes.
“I didn’t know that!” I raise my eyebrows.
“ I was not so lucky.” Chloe glares at Lucia with flared nostrils. “It was hard out there.”
“That’s because you were only dating men,” Lucia says, and then her eyes cut across the table. “No offense, Adam.”
“None taken,” he says, holding a handup.
“God, remember Ethan?” I make a face.
“Please, this dinner’s too delicious to spoil my appetite,” Chloe says, holding up a hand. “Harper, do you still talk to him?”
Adam shakes his head. “I think the last time I saw him was when you did. But I heard he’s married with like four kids, moved back to Long Island. He apparently has a Nintendo podcast? I don’t know.”
“What, really?” I shoot Chloe a look and then turn back to Adam. “Is it doing well?”
“Okay, so I was curious and googled it one day, and it’s not bad, ” Adam says.
“But it’s not good, ” Chloe laughs.
“Wild. Okay, sorry, enough about Ethan,” I say, and reach for the sweet potatoes. “Lucia, I want to hear about your first date with Chloe.”
“Well,” Lucia starts. “We started out with brunch in Brooklyn and then ended up taking a train to Montauk and spent the whole weekend there. I deleted the app once we got home.” Lucia puts a hand on Chloe’s back and starts rubbing. “We eloped a year later.”
I watch the slight exchange of squeezing hands and looks of I love you in their eyes and feel nothing but utter happiness for Chloe. Pure joy that she has the life she deserves.
“You two are the rare instance of successful online dating.” Adam tips his head toward them.
“How did you know she was the one?” I ask.
Chloe and Lucia look at each other. “We didn’t have to try,” Lucia says, and smiles.
“It was like hanging out with your best friend,” Chloe agrees. “And the sex is really good, and then one day you’re like wait, I can have this my whole life? ”
I begin to feel hot underneath my sweater, and take a sip of water.