An unusually slow Friday morning gave way to a brisk lunch rush, and as things wound down around two, Ryan’s phone vibrated in his pocket. He pulled it out and answered. “Hey, Uncle Mark. What’s up?” “Admit it. There’s a part of you that relishes calling me that.” “Don’t be so sensitive.” “Easy for you to say.” “What’s up?” Ian said. “Are you nervous about your date?” “No. I’m more nervous about seeing Matthew when our shifts overlap.” “Why?” “Because he expects me to come around to his way of thinking and cancel my plans with Bartley.” “But you have Ian’s blessing,” Mark said. “It doesn’t matter. Matthew thinks Ryan should back off and give Ian a chance with Bartley. And he’s right.
