Nicole nods her agreement. “I love going to Broadway shows. We should do that more often.”
“I don’t know this person, but I’m down,” Daisy says. “Jack can watch Bella while we have fun. That’s what dads are for.”
“I’m in, too.”
“Perfect! I’ll send a group text when I know the dates. It’s going to be so much fun!”
Tammy’s enthusiasm is contagious. I think that’s what makes her such a good nurse. She can go from telling a sad story to being happy in a matter of minutes. Tammy bounces back quickly. That’s an admirable trait. If I was like that, I wouldn’t keep thinking so negatively about my relationship with AJ.
Our sandwiches arrive, pausing the conversation once again. As soon as we have our masterpieces, we dig in. Groans fill the silence.
My tikka masala meatball sub is as amazing as I expected. Too bad the month is ending soon. This would’ve become a regular dinner for me.
We talk a bit as the sandwiches dwindle. Daisy tells us some more office drama, and Tammy tells another story of a patient who got something stuck in her nose. It wouldn’t be funny if it was a kid, but she was in her forties! There’s no excuse for that. Adults should know better.
A group of guys our age enters the deli. There are four of them, and their eyes turn our way as soon as they walk in.
While his three friends order their food, the bravest of the crew walks over to our table.
“Hi, ladies. What brings you out tonight?”
Daisy laughs. “We’re having a girls’ night.”
“I see that. Would you mind some male company? I promise, we’re a lot of fun.”
I meet Tammy’s eyes. She’s the only single girl at the table, and if she’s interested, we’ll let the guys join us. She subtly shakes her head, letting us off the hook. I didn’t think they were her type. She’s into bigger, burlier guys. The boys at the counter were probably in the same fraternity in college.
“Sorry, kid, we’re taken. Thanks, though!” I say.
He frowns. “Damn. It was worth a shot.”
He walks away without harassing us too much. I was half-expecting him to keep trying even after my rejection.
“That never gets old, especially now that I’m married. At least I know I’ve still got it,” Daisy jokes.
“I always want to be hit on in public. I don’t care if I’m old, gray, and married. It makes me feel special. And I like the power trip of rejecting them.”
We all laugh at Nicole’s statement, but mine is half-hearted. I don’t have the same experiences they do. My friends are skinny twigs, especially compared to me. I don’t get hit on in public nearly as often as they do.
But I can’t complain. I have a boyfriend now. I still can’t believe a guy like AJ came my way. It was unexpected, to say the least.
My phone buzzes with a text from my sister. It outlines something my mom did to upset her. I respond that I’m sorry, but I’m busy and can’t talk. Dana sends a frowny face and nothing else.
It sucks that Dana tries to drag me into her drama with Mom. I don’t talk to our parents for a reason. If I wanted to fight with them all the time, I’d call them more often.
I tuck my phone into my pocket so that it won’t bother me again. This is my time with the girls. I don’t need any distractions. I have enough of those swirling around in my head already.
We continue to sit at our table long after our sandwiches are finished. The owner doesn’t get a lot of dine-in customers, so he lets us stay as long as we like. We always leave a big tip in the jar on the counter as a thank you.
When Daisy starts to yawn, it’s clear our night is winding down.
“I need to get home and get some sleep. This was so much fun, though. We need to do it more often.”
The rest of us agree and gather up our things to head out. Daisy, Nicole, and me are going in one direction, but the other two are heading in the opposite direction. That’s how it always seems to happen in New York.
We hug Tammy and Jasmine goodbye before heading to our train stations.
“So, are we going to talk about AJ now?” Daisy asks.
I shake my head. “Nothing to talk about.”
“Come on. You’re clearly still upset that he had us over last night instead of going out. I think you need to talk to him about it.”
“Seriously, just bring it up,” Nicole agrees with Daisy. “I’m sure it’s a misunderstanding. He probably doesn’t even realize he’s doing it.”
I want my friends to be right. I almost talked to him at breakfast this morning. Waking up in AJ’s arms was amazing, and I want to do it more often. But I got scared. What if he does realize he’s doing it? I’m not sure I can handle that kind of rejection.
