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There's a knock at my door, and I freeze before quickly standing up and making my way to the door with quick, quiet, cat-like steps. Is it Jake? What would I do if he was at my door? But even as terror pops like a bubble within me, I reassure myself that Jake is in jail, and he’s not getting out any time soon. I’m safe. He’s not the one at my door.
I mean, it might be Cindy at my door, but it's definitely not Jake.
With a deep breath in and out, I pull open the door to find Cass standing on my front step with lasagna, a bottle of wine, and both eyebrows raised. With a squeal of joy, I step forward and pull her into a hug.
“Ben and Amy will be here soon,” she says, waiting until I let her go to step across the threshold. She makes her way into the kitchen and opens up the oven, popping the lasagna in and turning on the heat before placing the wine on the counter. I open a cabinet and pull out wine glasses before adding other glass tumblers and an assortment of alcohol.
She pauses what she's doing and stares at me with a knowing smile. “You look happy.”
I nod my head, feeling excited and silly all at once. “I called him.”
Her face lights up and she pulls me into a hug. “I'm so proud of you. I was worried you weren't going to. We actually had bets running.”
I gasp in a deep, fake offended breath. “Which one of you bet that I wouldn't?”
The way her eyes slide away from me and scan the kitchen tells me that she's the one that thought I wouldn't call. “You are the world's worst friend,” I say, totally joking, and she laughs.
“Well, I mean, it has been three days, and he did seem like the perfect man for you. And we both know that you run from anything without red flags. I’m pretty sure your spirit animal is a bull, because if there's no red flag waving, you aren’t going.” I know that she's teasing me, but she's also right. I don't have a good track record of healthy relationships, which is something I'd like to change, but it's just not that easy. I absolutely have bad taste in men.
“Oof,” I say with a smile, and she squeezes me before letting go.
I pour myself a quick drink, and she grabs my wine opener from the drawer and opens the bottle of wine. I hand her a wine glass, and she fills it halfway, taking a sip while watching me.
“What did you guys talk about?”
“Just kind of reconnected and he asked me to go to dinner with him tomorrow.” I can't help but think how cold and distant he'd sounded at first. He'd warmed up pretty quickly, but it still makes me a little bit nervous. Like I said, I know I’m not the same person that I was on vacation. I'm a lot less relaxed and chill, and I don't generally day drink - I think as I take a sip of my rum and coke - and it makes sense he’s a different person now too. No doubt he's back to the cold, ruthless, calculating CEO. He has to be running the company, or someone very likely killed his father trying to keep everything afloat while rooting out a killer. I can't even imagine how much pressure he must be under, and I can understand why he'd sound like a different person.
But are those differences enough to drive a wedge between us? Can they be overcome? Are we still a good match like we seemed to be on the cruise?
As those thoughts circle like sharks in my mind, I see Cass smile at me. “He asked you to dinner. Like on a date. That's so exciting.”
I roll my eyes and take a sip of my drink. “Well, I'm pretty sure that it's not a business dinner, so yes, it's a date.” For some reason, as I say the words, I begin to doubt myself and I try to shut out that stupid little voice in my head.
“Have you heard anything about Jake? Has Cindy come by again?” she asks.
She, Ben, and Amy had all been so upset to hear that Cindy came by and harassed me right after I got home from the cruise.
I shake my head. I haven't heard anything from Jake, and Cindy has not called or come by again. It’s actually a relief, because I'm ready to put them out of my mind and not give them any of my energy anymore.
Jake isn't my problem. If Cindy wants him, she can have him. I hope that he doesn't break her heart the way he broke mine, but that's her decision to make.
“Hello!” I hear Amy call out, and Cass and I both make our way to her and Ben, giving out smiles and hugs as we all talk about movie night here at my place. Ben holds up his phone, indicating it’s his night to choose the movie, and he’ll be airplaying it from his phone. Which is fine with me - he has good taste in movies.
“Who's making the popcorn?” Amy asks.
“She called him!” Cass says, and everyone goes quiet and stares at me.
I smile, my cheeks stinging as I nod my head. “I did. We’re going out tomorrow.” My girlfriends bounce up and down, and Ben takes my hand, squeezing gently as he speaks.
“I’m so happy for you guys!”
Surrounded by the warmth and support of my friends, I grin wider, excited about my date, having my friends’ blessings, and movie night.
I finally feel like everything's going to be okay.
Even if Damien isn't the guy for me, this is a fresh start with someone who might not break my heart.
As my friends talk amongst one another, the lasagna heats up in the oven, and Amy gets popcorn together while Ben pours drinks; I feel surrounded by love and warmth... and I wish Damien was here to enjoy this time with us.
