AllFreeNovel
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I am an adult.
Yes, I need to get my mojo back, but it will not be with a man I work with.
“No, we didn’t kiss again. Thank goodness.”
“Aw, really…? Now I’m even more worried about you. You didn’t watch the sunrise over the ocean or take advantage of being stuck at a resort with a guy who is totally into you. Not just any guy, but a great guy.”
I tuck my knee up and sip more coffee.
I can’t even argue with my friend on that point. Jack is great.
He’s optimistic about life. He makes promises to people because he believes he can follow through. He’s hopeful, vibrant, and lively.
Alexis is talking in my ear, and I suddenly realize I’ve lost track of what she’s saying. I tune back in.
“... and sure, maybe we don’t know for sure, but there is that philosophy of ‘you only live once,’ so why not?”
Ah, yes. Her YOLO speech.
She’s given it before.
“Why not? Lots of reasons,” I argue. “We’re only hanging out because, like you said, we’re stuck at this resort together. In a few days, he’ll go back to his life, and I’ll go back to mine. And we’ll have to resume working together. Also, I think—” I pause to suck in some much-needed caffeine.
Because, at this point, my head is going cloudy with overwhelm.
Darn you, sleepless night.
“I think… I’m pretty sure I’m about to get promoted when we get back. That means I’ll be his manager.” I sip again.
I’m hoping that saying it aloud will jolt me.
I could use a reality check.
“We are on super thin ice,” I add, “and I’m doing my best not to break it. So, YOLO has no place in what’s going on.”
“No way. YOLO trumps everything, Hazel. You are single. This is love we’re talking about. You will one day look back on this week and wish you tossed caution to the wind and enjoyed yourself. We’re traveling around the sun on this crazy spinning planet and owe it to ourselves to enjoy life's journey, right?”
Right now, talking to my best friend in the world feels about as impossible as talking to Jack.
“I get that,” I say, “but consequences are real. I don’t want my journey around the sun this year to include unemployment. And there is a high probability of that if I let this thing in Hawaii get out of hand.”
“Yes, yes!” she chirps. I can picture her now, smiling with all that Alexis sunshine she always seems to have. “That is exactly what I’m saying. Let this thing get out of hand.”
I sigh, rolling my eyes. “That is not what I said.”
She laughs. “I know I’m taking that phrase out of context. I can see you rolling your eyes at me. Okay, I’m going to let you sit with this. Remember: vacation. Fun. Love you, honey.”
Once I hang up, I cuddle back onto the couch. The pillows are soft, and they swallow me up.
My drink has turned warm instead of hot, making it easier to draw in long sips.
There are so many reasons Alexis is my best friend. Often, when I get stuck in one of these glass-is-half-empty states, she shows me the bright sides.
I know she made good points. I know what is happening to me on this island is a gift. On some level, I want to reach out for the gift with both hands, with a few of those bubbly ‘yes, yes!’ statements that Alexis is so good at
I want to say ‘yes’ to what is happening.
But I also want to be practical.
