“Well...”
Zoe sat on a nearby bench.
“Xavier and I are done.”
Zoe’s body jerked. That was a surprise. “I thought you liked him?”
“I do.” Roslyn’s voice softened. “I did, but he doesn’t want a long-term relationship. What’s the point of me wasting my time to see if a man’s going to figure out how he feels about me? I may be blocking my husband.”
Zoe crossed her legs as she sat. “I get it, and I don’t blame you. I’m glad you love yourself enough to walk away.”
“I deserve better than that. Anyway, how are things with you? How’s drummer boy?”
Zoe laughed. “What?”
“That’s what he does, right? How is he?”
Zoe sighed. “I think he’s playing me. He called the other night, but I heard another woman’s voice.”
“No he didn’t!”
Zoe sighed. Her mind told her to leave him alone. A man like him probably had a list of women. Zoe didn’t want to be another on his checklist. Yet, her heart wanted him to be sincere. She tugged at her earring, thinking about their last conversation.
“Zoe?” Roslyn said. “Are you there? What did he do?”
Zoe’s lips parted. What did he do? She thought hard. Had he been honest? She thought so. Did he call when he said he would? Yes. Did he pressure her into a date? He was persistent, but he didn’t make her uncomfortable. She’d seen his softer side, especially when he was with baby Celine.
Alex took care of Lisa, supporting her after her divorce. Not perfect, but who wanted perfection. Her past wasn’t squeaky clean, and he had been understanding when she shared her story. Zoe rubbed her head. What did Alex do again?
“Nothing,” Zoe said.
“What do you mean nothing?” her friend asked.
“I mean... I might have assumed the worst.” She groaned. Zoe had to stop second guessing herself.
“Why’s that?”
“He has a reputation for being a...”
“Bad boy? Player?”
“Exactly. I don’t want to make a stupid decision. I don’t want to get hurt when I could have avoided it.”
Roslyn sighed. “I get it, Z. This love thing is a gamble, but do you want to know how I knew with Xavier?”
“How?” Zoe had been in a toxic relationship before and didn’t want to repeat her mistakes. She couldn’t disappoint her parents, Jackson, or herself.
“He never told me how he felt. Three months of dating and he never told me his intentions. So, I decided for him.”
Zoe mulled over her friend’s words. Confusion. She knew that all too well with guys. They would keep her in limbo, never expressing themselves. Alex wasn’t like that. He’d been vulnerable with her. He shared about his childhood and his mother abandoning him and his father. Alex had been clear with how he felt about her. He wanted her.
“Thinking over there?” her friend asked.
“Yes, a lot,” Zoe said.
“And? What’s the verdict?”
“I think I need to apologize.”