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managed to continue a friendship, or so Darren surmised. Jo rarely talked about Rachel, but he knew that they continued to text and talk and get together – again, from what he could gather. Lines of communication in general at that time were not crystal clear. Anyway, he did meet her a couple times in person, though usually almost by accident, or as if it couldn’t be avoided, such as Jo’s birthday party at what she called her favorite bar even though Darren had never been there and Rachel seemed to be chummy with every bartender and waitress.
“You came by to see Jim? That’s so sweet,” Rachel said, really committing to apparent unspoken agreement between everyone present to accept his expressed reason for popping by.
“I’m sure he was glad to see you,” Jo said. “Having a man around again for a change.”
This remark drew a wry smile from Rachel, even a suppressed laugh. The way Jo turned her head to look at her and matched her smile confirmed for him that there was some inside joke being shared that he was not privy to, the worst kind of inside joke as far as Darren was concerned.
“Well, nice seeing you again, Rachel. Thanks for letting me see him, Jo.” He started for the door, in his mind releasing all involved from this uncomfortable scene. “I’ll let myself out."
“Want some coffee?” Darren stopped and turned. Rachel, the source of the invitation, was smiling, and Jo had an expression of alarm that seemed to shout “What are you doing?” that went unnoticed by its intended target. “It’s some kind of expensive gourmet stuff. I brought it and we brewed it up, and we made way too much. It shouldn’t go to waste, right?"
Jo nimbly recovered from her shock and, apparently feeling as if she had no choice but to support her friend’s curious overture, enthusiastically said “It really is very, very good.” And Darren, apparently feeling as if he