“You really should tell him,” Ellie says, sounding as disappointed as the expression on Chris’s face looks.
“I will. I’m waiting until the right time,” I murmur.
“Dude, you’ve read as many romance books as I have. You know this is not going to end well if he finds out and you didn’t talk to him about it first,” Chris adds, shaking his head.
“Except this isn’t a book. This is real life. I need to find a way to tell him that will ease any worries he may have so I don’t end up—”
“Broken,” Chris cuts me off, reaching out to take my hand. “I know you’re still trying to protect yourself, but, baby girl, you need to do the right thing. You need to tell him, so you guys can move on from it and start on your happily ever after. You’ve been doing good. You haven’t gotten sick since you met with your new doctor, and your last test results showed that your kidney function is holding steady. Those are good things, positive things.” He is right. They are good things, but I’m still sick so it’s actually not a good thing. “Please, for your sake, tell him.”
“I will,” I agree, leaving out the other words in my head. I’ll tell him when I’m brave enough to face his reaction.
“Lord Jesus, I can see it in your eyes that you’re not going to,” he mutters, and I sigh. Having a best friend you’ve known practically your whole life is awesome on occasion, like when you’re having a bad day and they know without asking to bring over ice cream and one of your favorite movies. Times like now, not so much.
“I’m going to tell him. I swear.”
“I hope so, and don’t think I missed your nose twitching, because I didn’t.”
“Whatever,” I grumble, and he smiles at me and I smile back. “Now come on. Let me finish your hair. I’ve got a client coming in, and if you don’t stop talking, I’m leaving you exactly like you are.”
“You would never.” He presses his hand to his heart.
“I will if you don’t stop yapping.”
“Fine, hurry up. I need to leave soon anyway. I have a date.”
“Is Dale coming into town?” I ask, turning him around to face the mirror once more.
“No,” he says, and I frown.
“Are you going to Florida?”
“No, I have a date with a guy I met at work.”
“You have a date with a guy you met at work?” I repeat, staring at him and feeling my eyes widen.
“Yes.”
“Who is he and why am I just now hearing about this?”
“His name is Fresco. I didn’t tell you, because you have your own stuff going on. I didn’t want to bother you with mine.”
“Are you kidding me right now?” I ask, swinging the chair around to look at him.
“No.”
“What the hell is going on with you and Dale?”
“We’re not together. You know that. And I’m not feeling the whole long distance thing anymore.”
“But you love him,” I whisper, and his face changes ever so slightly, causing the mask he’s obviously been keeping on for my sake to slip, showing me that he’s hurting.
“I do love him, but me loving him isn’t enough of a reason to keep my life on hold anymore. I want more than he’s willing to give me. You know I want a husband and kids, and I know I won’t find those things with Dale, so I’m moving on.”
“Chris.” I fall into him, wrapping my arms around his cape-covered shoulders. “I’m so sorry.”
“Me, too, but this is life. Sometimes shit sucks for a while, and then later on, when you’re feeling good and happy, you realize why you had to go through what you went through. You realize if you hadn’t, you wouldn’t have had a chance at that happiness you’re feeling.”
“Do you think this new guy will give you that happiness?” I ask, holding onto him.
His arms tighten around me. “I don’t know, but I’m willing to find out.”
“I want that for you,” I tell him truthfully. I know how much he wants a family and kids, and I want that for him. Really, I just want him happy, however that comes about.
“Ditto, baby girl,” he whispers, kissing the side of my head before letting me go and looking at me. “Now seriously, cut my hair. I’ve got places to be and shit to do, and if your next client comes in before you’re done and you try to kick me out of your chair, I will throw a diva tantrum to end all diva tantrums.”
“Oh, all right,” I mutter, giving him a grin before I finish his hair. As he leaves, I make him promise to call to tell me every single detail about his date. Once he’s gone, it’s already 12:30, and luckily my next client shows up on time fifteen minutes later, so I’m able to get her wash, cut, and blow out done before it’s time for Ellie and me to head over to the bank.