Nikki nodded in understanding. “I started seeing a new therapist,” she revealed after a few minutes of the two working silently.
“Nikki, that’s great. I’m proud of you,” Diane smiled encouragingly.
Nikki’s lips went up into a small smile of her own.
“So have you made any progress?”
“A little. The therapist wants me to return to my childhood, but that part is crazy hard.” Nikki’s shoulders deflated as she released her breath.
“Hey, it’s fine. Take your time. There’s no rush,” Diane encouraged.
“That’s exactly what the therapist said to me,” she said.
“Your therapist is a wise woman then,” Diane returned.
“Who said it was a woman?” Nikki asked with a raised brow.
“Whatever the gender, they are a wise person.”
“Touché,” Nikki returned. The two women continued to work all the way into the evening. They spent the rest of the time at the front of the café as they waited for the cakes to bake.
The sound of the bells chiming at the door caused Diane to look up. Her eyes widened, and her heart skipped a beat at the sight of Joshua.
“Hey,” he greeted.
“Hey,” she greeted him back.
“Can we talk?”
“Hi, Joshua,” Nikki, who’d just returned from the kitchen, greeted him.
“Hi, Nikki,” he said with a polite smile.
“Fancy seeing you here today.” She smirked as she looked from him to Diane. Diane’s face became red, and she wanted to throttle Nikki. “You two look like you need some privacy. I’ll be in the back if you need me,” she informed Diane and returned to the kitchen.
“So about yesterday,” he started. He scratched the back of his neck, and his face showed his discomfort.
“A lot happened,” Diane quipped.
“Grandma was out of line to do what she did, and for that, I am truly sorry,” he spoke sincerely.
“That’s okay. I know Bev; she’s wanted to set you up with someone ever since I’ve known her. I guess I’m just the unlucky candidate.”
“You’re not unlucky,” Joshua refuted.
“The fact is, I do like you—”
Diane’s heart rate sped up, and her chest tightened with anxiety.
“But as a friend. You’re the first female I’ve talked to that gets me in a way that no one else has. I cherish that, and I don’t want her words to tarnish our friendship because I do care deeply about you.”
“Thanks, Joshua. I care about you too. I would very much like to be your friend.”
“Great. That’s settled. I’ll see you at the barbecue tomorrow.”
Diane smiled and waved as he left the building. Her smile dropped the moment he left the compound. She wasn’t sure why she felt so disappointed by Joshua’s statement that he wanted to be her friend and nothing more, but deep down, it hurt to know that she had been so easily swept aside.
“Ooh. It sounded like you got dumped back there, and you weren’t even dating,” Nikki spoke sympathetically to her cousin.
