I said yes.
What the heck, you say?
Well, after today’s lunchtime kiss with Nik, my heart was fluttering.
Not a good sign.
I think I agreed to go on this date to distract myself from Nik.
If he wanted something with me, he’d let me know. And even then I wouldn’t be with him til I was sure he could be what I need.
So I have a date with Chad the Accountant on Thursday night. Which means I’ll miss Poker night.
I’m sure I won’t be missed anyways.
Nat sits on the sofa reading my e-reader. I clear my throat and begin, “So, I’ve got a date on Thursday. ”
Nat’s body stills, she looks up from the e-reader and stares at me. After about ten seconds she does the exact opposite of what I think she’ll do. She smiles huge and yells out, “Finally! For the love of Pete, it’s about time woman!”
Uh, what?
“Uh, what are you talking about? I thought you’d be pissed!” I tell her.
She looks confused and utters, “Pissed? Why would I be pissed? I told you this morning to try things with Nik…”
I lower my eyes and cut her off with, “The date’s not with Nik. ”
Silence.
A tormenting, long silence.
Then she sits up straight and explodes, “What the HELL is wrong with YOU?”
I flinch and start, “His name’s Chad and he’s an accountant. I met him at Winnie’s this afternoon. ”
She lowers her eyes and shakes her head in disbelief. She queries, “Let me get this straight. The day after Nik’s birthday you’re going on a date…with someone who isn’t Nik. ”
I nod then shrug and say, “It’s not like he cares. I’ve told you before he doesn’t want me and I freaked him out by kissing him this afternoon…”
She squawks, “You WHAT??!”
“…and then Chad asked me out and it seemed the perfect distraction from Nik…”
She flaps her arms in the air and wails, “Why would you do that??!”
“…and I think I might be in love with him!”
She gasps and covers her mouth with a hand. I hear a muffled sympathetic, “Oh, honey. ”
I feel tears burn my eyes. I murmur, “Why does everything suck?!”
She stands up, walks to me and grips me tight in a bear hug. She tells me, “So you know when something really great comes along. ”
My bff is Mister Miyagi.
***
Wednesday morning comes and I’m busy in the kitchen baking away. I sent Nat to Safira with my car so I can spend the entire morning preparing without rushing.