“That is Caleb, and yes. He helped me decorate.”
“Tell me everything.” She curls her fist under her chin and props up on a pillow.
I tell her about the Tangle of Tinsel and everything that came after.
“Stop! He named the incident?”
“Him or Nona.”
“And we are now on nickname terms with Nona and Pop?” Lily asks slowly.
“Well, they said to.”
“Oh, honey, you’ve drifted straight into girlfriend territory.”
“How? We barely know each other. And I did almost experience death by tree in his family store.”
“Are you sure you’re okay?” The concern coloring her words touches me.
“I swear, I’m fine. I have a follow-up appointment after Christmas, just to be safe.”
“I hate that this happened to you. But I am so grateful those amazing people stepped up when you needed help.”
“Me too. That’s part of the problem.” I plop my head back onto the pillow. “How can I separate sympathy with what’s real?”
“You noticed Mc. Sexy before, though, didn’t you?”
“Yeah, but that’s physical. Caleb seems too good to be true, so logic says he must be.” I hate the negativity coming from me.
“Oh, Romy. My love, you deserve amazing, fantastical things to happen to you. Who says this isn’t real because it was unexpected? You have serious chemistry. It happens. He seems like a great guy who you click with. There’s nothing wrong with believing that to be true until he proves otherwise. Which, I may add, he might not. He’s thirty-five. At this point, he knows what he wants and does it, henceforth leaving New York.”
“He terrified me, Lil. I mean, things are so easy with him, and God, he’s gorgeous, yes, but there’s this vibe he gives off that makes me want to devour him. Even when we bicker.” I huff. “He gives me butterflies.”
“What’s wrong with that?” she asks sweetly.
“I don’t want to be blindsided.”
“He’s not Trevor, and you’re not the same woman you were then. Don’t let one mistake haunt you. He did wrong, not you. And, babe, you weren’t blind. You were busy busting your ass to make your dreams come true. The mooch took advantage of you.”
“I know you’re right. I’m fighting to work through it.”
“It’s okay to be afraid, Ro. You’d be crazy not to be. It’s not okay to let it keep you from living your life. Wading back into the dating pool now would be ideal.” She narrows her eyes and points at me. “Plus, look at him. You need to climb that tree to tell me if the ride is as good as I think it’ll be. If you don’t do that research for us, I think I may never forgive you.”
“Lillian.” I dissolve into laughter.
“What? Look at those hands. He must be working with some impressive equipment.”
“From the feel of it, I’d agree.’
“Harlot! You’ve been holding out on me?”
I sigh. “I wish. It’s been nothing more than heavy making out, and that’s because I cut it short every time.” I groan, remembering how he left. “I screwed up by shutting down his offer to make plans, didn’t I?”
She nods her head. “Yes, you did. At the least, you owe him, and his family, some kind of thank you gesture. I suggest separately because the thank you suggestions I have in mind for Caleb would scar the rest of his family for life.” She makes a fist and pushes toward her mouth, puffing out her check.
“You filthy girl,” I say in a British accent.
“What? I want to see my girl get some. It’s been a minute.”