I walked into the clothing store she was at and quickly spotted her. “I like it,” I said as I walked up to where she was holding up a pretty blouse.
“Who are you?” she asked without looking at me. “You sound a lot like my friend Evie, but I think she fell off the face of the earth.”
“Ha ha. I’m sorry. I’ve been busy.”
“Not too busy for your man,” she said.
“Actually, I saw him Monday and that’s it. Well and Sunday, but that doesn’t count.”
“You are forgiven, with one stipulation,” she said.
I groaned. “What would that be?”
“Have dinner with me,” she answered.
I burst into laughter. “Yes. I’m free for the rest of the night.”
“Good. Now, I need a skirt to go with this.”
I began to browse the racks and not only found her a skirt but found myself a few things as well. I usually did the bulk of my shopping online. I never had time to spend a leisurely day shopping. It was nice.
We made our purchases and moved on to another store that specialized in accessories.
“What did you guys do Sunday?” she asked. “That’s your decompress day.”
“It is and I did decompress with Xander and his brother.”
She spun around so fast, she looked like a figure skater. “You did what?” she shrieked. “Evie, you have really, really turned a corner. I know I’ve been telling you to loosen up, but damn, woman. You dirty.”
I rolled my eyes. “Are you done?”
“His brother?”
“Yes, his brother and there was nothing dirty about it. You need to pull your mind out of the gutter. I worry about you sometimes.”
She offered a cheesy grin. “Do not worry about me. I’m a very healthy, happy woman.”
“I know you are.”
“So, what’s his brother like? Is he wealthy?”
“He’s a Marine,” I answered. “His brother is fun. He’s very different from Xander, or at least the Xander I first met. Now that I know Xander a little better, I have seen the more playful side, but his brother is like that naturally.”
“Is he hot?”
“He’s attractive, but Xander is better looking in my opinion. Although I’m sure some women would think differently. Kade has that vibe about him, you know? Like he was probably voted most popular in school and his contact list is probably filled.”
She scowled at me, one hand on her hip. “You are a really shitty friend. I might have to rethink our friendship.”
My mouth dropped open. “What? Why would you say that?”
“You met a hot, eligible bachelor and you didn’t bother to call me. It’s like you are hogging all the hot guys for yourself. That’s not cool.”
“Uh, he’s in the Marines. He was in town for two days. He doesn’t have time for you. And I don’t know if he is single. It’s not like I chase them down.”
“You could have asked,” she pouted. “You know I’m not one to turn down a handsome guy.”
I rolled my eyes. “That’s for sure. If he comes back to town, I will definitely ask if he would like to meet you.”
“Don’t ask. Do.”
“I did think about you, if that makes you feel any better. I do think the two of you would hit it off. He’s spunky. You’re spunky. We would have so much fun together. Maybe Xander will take all of us out on his boat.”
Her eyes sparkled with excitement. “That would be fun. I like that idea. When is he coming back?”
“I don’t know. He didn’t know.”
She popped out her lower lip. “That sucks.”
“It does suck, and I think Xander was bummed,” I told her. “I liked hanging out with them. It was nice to see Xander and his brother banter back and forth. And Kade did not hold back. He gave me lots of insight into Xander’s past. I feel like I know him so much better after a couple of hours hanging with him and his brother.”
She paused what she was doing and looked at me. “You are really falling for this guy.”
I grimaced, wrinkling my nose. “I am. Is that bad?”
“Why would it be a bad thing? He sounds like a great guy. I’m practically falling for him and I don’t know him.”
“Great guy doesn’t negate all the other things.”
“What other things? I’m so confused. Good is good.”
“Let’s see. My dad hates him.”
“Your dad isn’t sleeping with him,” she retorted.
“Gross,” I murmured.
“Next,” she said, waving her hand.
“We agreed to be friends. We wanted to keep things casual. What I feel does not feel casual.”
She shrugged. “And why is that a bad thing?”
“Because what if he doesn’t feel the same way?”
She looked thoughtful. “Your face says you are falling for him.”
I was confused. “What does that mean?”
“You have told me many times you can read people really well. You can be just as guarded with your heart as you tell me he is. You are open and warm and loving, but you keep things on a very surface level.”
“That’s not true,” I protested.
“When is the last time you were in love?”
I thought about it. “I don’t know.”
“Exactly. You haven’t. Trust yourself with this. Don’t start attaching a bunch of rules and hangups.”
I sighed. “I don’t want to, but it’s self-preservation. I don’t want to get hurt.”
“Nobody wants to get hurt,” she said.
“Definitely not.”
“What are you going to do about your dad? You can’t let him get in the way of your happiness.”
I slowly shook my head. “I have no idea. I tried to talk to him. He isn’t budging.”
“Maybe try to explain to him Xander is important to you. He should understand love. He loved your mother.”
The memory of his grief still tugged at my heart. “Yes, he did.”
“What if that’s why he is so against you getting together with Xander?”
“What? That makes no sense.”
“He loved and lost, and it cut him deep. There could be a chance he doesn’t want you to experience that same kind of pain.”
“Plausible, but not likely.”
“Fine, then back to the original question. What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know. He won’t talk to me. I’ve been calling him all week, and once again, he’s dodging my calls. He’s being very childish about all of this. It’s really pissing me off.”
“He’s probably been busy writing his speech,” she said nonchalantly.
“Speech? For me? I don’t need another speech from him. I’m good. He said plenty.”
She burst into laughter, tossing a few bangles into the basket hanging from her arm. “Not for you. His acceptance speech.”
“What are you talking about?”
“The achievement award he’s getting from the school,” she answered.
She might as well have slapped me. “I didn’t know he was getting an award.”