"Why aren't you in a better one?" I looked at her blankly. "You have a date tomorrow."
"I know, that still doesn't tell me why you’re so thrilled."
"So, you aren't excited?" she asked. We made our way to the couch. My dining table was crowded with books and photocopies, but I was taking a break.
"It's your brother; we went out for almost three years."
"That was in the past, you're new people now."
"Different versions of the same people," I said to her, "so no. He can't surprise me at this point. I know him pretty well."
"A lot can change in a year," she said.
"If you know something, tell me now."
"Nothing," she said innocently, "I'm just excited.
"You know that's not normal, right?"
"I've been rooting for you since the beginning. I'm excited the two of you are finally talking again."
"That's all we're doing – talking."
"Of course it is," she said, grinning.
"Stop looking at me like that."
"Just admit you're excited, too."
"I'm not. This isn't new. He isn't new. It's just been a long time."
"So you haven't been thinking about what you're going to wear?" she asked.
I paused. I had a pretty solid wardrobe. I didn't like spending on new stuff, just getting a couple investment pieces a few times a year. But now that she had mentioned it, I hadn't really thought about what I was going to wear.
"I'll dig something up," I said lightly.
"This isn't a date that you just dig something up to wear.”
"We used to go out together. I'm not trying to make a fake first impression. He knows what I look like with no makeup on in pajamas. I don't need to impress him."
"That's no excuse not to try. You have to make an effort. That is how you keep a man," she said matter-of-factly.
"How do I keep something that isn't even mine?"
"Not with that attitude. First, you need to open your eyes because you still somehow think the two of you aren't getting back together."
"We'll see what happens when it happens," I sighed. I didn't want any pressure. That was one of the conditions of this date even happening. It had to be casual, no expectations more than just talking and sharing a meal as two people who had been close in the past.
"You still have to try," she said.
"I will. Tomorrow, I swear I'll wear false lashes."
"I mean for real. Let's go out and buy something."
"A new dress for this? No."
"Come on."