“Patrick. Pat, jus—, just leave it—,”

Art’s sputtering is currently no use, pleading with Patrick to not completely embarrass him. “C’mon, it’s been six months, and, just look at ‘er!” Patrick’s painfully obvious gestures towards the young lady makes Art cringe.

Six months. Six months since the divorce with Tashi settled. The two of them agreed it would be better if their relationship remained strictly professional & parental. If it weren’t for Lily, they’d probably be no contact. Patrick had just been sticking around, lurking, as he always does, and he decided to drag Art down to the bar this dreadful night to scope out some girls for him. Whatever that meant.

Still, if feels so weird to be missing the silver band around his wedding finger. Reaching out to fiddle with it, then soon realising, right, it’s not there.

Patrick pushes Art towards the, quote, “hot piece of ass” he was referring to, giving him a harsh pat on the shoulder before walking away with a smirk. Art watches him with a glare, before directing his attention to the woman in front of him.

He clears his throat. “Um, hi. Art.” He introduces, pursing his lips awkwardly in something that could pass as a smile, holding a hand out to shake as the other is occupied by a cold beer.