Not from a stranger, but especially not from you because she already trusts you. Because you're safe to her. Because you're my best friend and she's let you in because of that. He leaned forward slightly. So if you are not ready to be serious, if there is any part of this that is about loneliness or convenience or some moment that felt good, then you walk away from it right now today.
And we never mention it again. Marcus looked at him. And if you are ready, Daniel said. Then I want you to take care of her. That's all I'm asking.
That's the only thing I'm asking. The diner was its ordinary Wednesday self around them. Plates moving, coffee being poured, a table of women laughing about something across the room. Marcus said, "She's not a temporary chapter." Daniel looked at him. "I've had one of those," Marcus said.
"I had Renee. I know what it means to choose someone completely. I'm not saying I'm there yet with Olivia. I'm saying that whatever this is, it is not casual. It is not convenience.
It is not loneliness looking for a placeholder." He paused. I'm telling you first because you're my brother and I'm telling you the truth because that's the only version of this I know how to do. Daniel held his gaze for a long time. Then he reached across the table and put his hand on Marcus's shoulder, one firm brief grip and took it back. Okay, Daniel said just that.
Okay. But the way he said it quiet and full and settled meant everything. They finished their coffee. They talked about other things. The shop.
Daniel's job, a road trip they'd been half planning for 3 years and never taken. They split the check. They walked out into the afternoon together. At the parking lot, Daniel stopped. "Hey," he said.
Marcus turned. "She deserves to be happy," Daniel said. "She's been taking care of everybody else her whole life. She deserves somebody who sees her." He paused. "I think maybe she already knows you do." Marcus nodded.
He got in his truck. He sat for a minute. Then he took out his phone and typed a message to Olivia. You free this weekend? The reply came in under a minute.
For what? I want to take you somewhere. Not fancy. Just real if you're open to that. Three dots.
They stayed for longer than usual. Long enough that Marcus watched them, which was not something he normally did, but he watched them now. Then Saturday afternoon. Saturday afternoon. He confirmed.