Chapter 7

A slight pause. Then Ryan said, “What are you doing for dinner?”

“Well, once I finish putting this together, I guess take out.”

“Take out and scotch in your office? Now who’s the nerd?”

“You’ve always been the nerd,” Ted said. This was pure irony. Yes, Ryan had always been smart and gotten good grades, but he’d also been popular and friendly. Ted, on the other hand, had only had hangers-on who liked his money, and had definitely been more of a nerd. Ryan played soccer and swam varsity. Ted…fenced. That just about said it all.

“I know it,” Ryan said with another laugh. “Come on, don’t make me come up there and drag you out. This place sucks on weekends.”

“What, it’s fun the rest of the week?”

“Marketing is,” Ryan said.

“You don’t have to say that just because I sort of own the place.”

“I’m not. Come on, man. Let’s go get some greasy food and beer.”

“How about charcuterie and wine?” Ted suggested as a spontaneous joke.