“Okay, you don’t want to talk about it?” Ted says. “Fine. Instead, let me take you out tonight. We can go to a nice restaurant, and you can simply relax and enjoy yourself. You’ve been working hard lately. Let me take your mind off of it for a while.”
I stop at the steps to the psychology building. This is the first time Ted has asked me to do something off campus, and the request feels a little uncomfortable. It’s Friday, and a Friday night dinner sounds like a date.
Stop it. How is this any different than if Connie suggested the same thing? I’d go in a heartbeat and enjoy myself. Why should it be any different with Ted?
“Sure. That sounds nice,” I say finally.
“Great. I’ll pick you up at seven.” He spins and walks away before I can respond.
Pick me up? How can he do that without my address? I laugh to myself, knowing I’ll be getting a text from him asking for it.
* * *
On the wayto my car after my last class, my phone buzzes with a text from Cody. He’s on his way home, and he wants to see me tomorrow.
I stop walking.Tomorrow.My mind is whirling. I know what he wants. He’s made no secret of it.But what do I want?
I squeeze my eyes shut, and an unexpected smile spreads across my face. The possibility I’ll see him tomorrow suddenly has my stomach full of butterflies, and I realize I’ve really missed him. There’s no denying how I feel. I’ve tried—god, how I’ve tried tonotwant him.
I drive home on autopilot, thinking about what I’ll wear tomorrow. Then I decide I need reinforcements. As soon as I walk inside my apartment, I call Connie.
“Lucy, I’m so glad you called. I was going to ask if you wanted to go to happy hour.”
“Can you come to my place? Cody is coming back and wants to see me tomorrow.”
“Oh shit. I’ll be there in fifteen.”
“Thank you.”
I toss my phone on the couch and go to the kitchen to pour myself a glass of wine. I pour a second glass for Connie, then I stare at the message from Cody. He hasn’t sent any others.
I shoot off a quick reply to say okay, and I’m still lost in my thoughts when Connie knocks.
“Hey, I’m here,” she says through the door.
The moment she walks in, I hand her my phone. “That’s all he sent.”
She reads it quickly, then scrolls up. “Uh, actually no, that is notallhe sent. Holy shit, Lucy. This is romantic as hell.”
“I know.” I squeeze my hands together and begin pacing.
“I need wine for this,” she says.
I point to the coffee table, where I set the glass I poured for her. She takes a drink, then sits on the couch and continues to read my text messages.
She finally looks up. “Well, there’s no doubt what he wants. What do you want?”
“I want him. But I’m scared.”
“Understandable,” she nods. “I’ve been thinking about your situation, and I’ve concluded. He was a boy when he made that stupid decision to leave. Now he’s a man. And according to all this, he is willing to uproot his life and move here to be with you.”
I sit down on the other end of the couch, clutching my wine. “You were there for me before; you really think I should go for it?”
Connie smiles. “I can’t tell you that. Only you know what’s in your heart. Do you love him?”
My eyes well with tears, and I nod. “I always have.”
“Well, I can tell you that when you talk about him, your eyes light up in a way I’ve never seen before. They certainly didn’t with Joseph.”
