AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I glance around my neat, inexpensive apartment. It’s mostly filled with simple build-your-own furniture and pops of colors in pillows and throws.
“He texted me this morning and asked if I wanted to go bowling.”
“A bowling date? That is so cute.”
“I turned him down.”
“What? You did not turn him down. You've had a crush on him for like forever.”
My stomach sinks. Mags knows about my home life. She knows about what’s going on with my mother. She knows more than everyone else how right now is not a good time. And with my boss? If something were to happen and I lost that job, there’s so much that could go wrong so quickly. I try to keep it simple, rather than letting the emotions show in my voice.
“I've thought he was hot for forever, but I can't date him, Mags! I work for him. We can't go on dates or the whole town will have something to say about it.”
She's silent for a beat, and my heart aches. Mags understands what it's like to have the whole town weigh in on something that should be your own personal decision.
“I hope I didn't hurt your feelings. I'm really sorry if I did,” I tell her.
“You didn't,” she says, “But how could bowling go badly? Unless you dropped the ball on your foot or got it stuck to your fingers and he had to take you to the ER. But even that would be kind of romantic.”
“It's not romantic to drop a bowling ball on your foot,” I point out. “And I'm saying my job could go badly, and I need my job.” I feel anxious thinking about having to quit or getting fired because Griffin changes his mind about me, or the town puts pressure on him for dating an employee. So many things could happen. “I would be really screwed if I lost my job.”
“You're not going to lose your job if you go bowling.”
“I suggested that he take me to the drive-in movie instead.”
Mags huffs a laugh. “Perfect time for a drive-in movie. You'll have to stay cuddled up in the car, since it'll be freezing the whole time.”
I love Mags, I always have, but she doesn’t really seem to be getting it. Maybe my silence is a clue to her that I’m not convinced this is a good thing.
“I vote take it slow and easy and try not to worry. I think this could be a good thing,” she says with an upbeat tone. “I really do Renee. I think you have a lot on your mind right now and there’s a time and a place to worry, but this could be a good thing. Just…maybe let it happen and see where life takes you,” she suggests, but it doesn’t ease a darn thing for me. I know where life goes the moment I start to think it’s going to be okay. Miss happily ever after forgets what happened the last time I thought I could fall in love…
I sigh out loud. “Listen, I left my car at the bar. Can you drive me over in a little bit so I can get it?”
“Of course. Did Griffin take you home last night?”
“Yeah,” I answer, picking at my nails and then remembering the drive home last night. “He was really nice.”
“Oh my God,” Mags breathes, and there's a quiet thump as she falls back onto her couch or the pillows on her bed. “That is so sweet and romantic.”
I laugh at her, feeling extremely fond of my best friend. But not at all at ease at the idea of letting whatever is going to happen, happen. I thought she would understand but she doesn’t. She starts talking about the two of us falling in love and getting caught kissing behind the bar but making it seem like it would be some love story rather than a town scandal.
“Your pregnancy hormones are showing, Mags.”
Mags laughs, “You're right, but there's nothing I can do about that now. Give me fifteen minutes and I'll come pick you up.”
“Thanks Mags.” I tell her before hanging up, “Love you.”
“Love you too. Try not to worry. It’s okay,” she says in a tone that reminds me she does know what I’m feeling. “I promise you it’s going to be okay.”
I can’t say anything in response to that. Mags should know better than to make promises she can’t keep.
Griffin
With the din of chatter at the bar, I sit restlessly at the booth in the back, not able to focus on anything. I don't want to bother Renee on her days off, so I don't text her the next day, but I keep checking to see if she texts me. We settled on the weekend for our not-date movie night as she put it. If that’s what she wants to call it and she wants a more casual thing, I’m fine with that. Still can’t get her out of my head though.
Brody’s heavy exhale reminds me that we’re both staring at paperwork. He’s actually working on finances and I’m…staring at the same page on this stack that I was ten minutes ago.
I have a blue pen and Brody has a red pen. There are very, very few pages that have been marked with blue.
