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Chapter 11
Rachel
“I’m so sorry. I’m sure that thing is nasty,” Rachel apologized, eyeing the nail technician from her seat in the massaging chair. The woman, who had barely spoken two words the entire pedicure, just raised an eyebrow at Rachel.
Yeah, her toenails hadn’t been looking very good after the fall. And after being shoved in a boot that made her foot sweat for two weeks, things were a bit grotesque.
Still, Georgie had insisted they celebrate Rachel’s good news—her sprain had healed and she was cleared to return to the stage. She’d made time in her busy schedule to take Rachel out for a much needed but very embarrassing pedicure the same day as her doctor’s appointment.
“So, tell me what’s new,” Georgie said as Rachel gave up on apologizing, figuring she may as well just sit back and forget about the fact her feet were in terrible shape.
“Nothing. Just back to work, finally. Which makes me really happy.”
“And…,” Georgie added, looking over at Rachel.
Rachel smirked. “And what?”
“Anything or anyone else we can chat about? Maybe some handsome guy who sent those roses last week?” Georgie raised her eyebrows up and down a few times in a suggestive way.
Rachel shook her head. “Not this again.”
“Well, I’m just saying, despite your situation, you seemed to be in an awfully good mood this past week when we chatted. And when I passed Gigi and Beatrice in the hall, they let it slip they’d met your gentleman caller. Which, by the way, who the heck uses that term? Gigi and Beatrice are so hip with everything except when it comes to dating.”
“I do not have a gentleman caller. Zander and I went out for coffee this week. We’re just friends, though. He’s into theater like me, and it was just good to have someone to chat with.”
“Uh huh. Sure.”
“Georgie, come on. You know all the horrid details of my love life. And you more than anyone know I’m focused on my career, just like you.”
“I’m just saying I’ve heard he’s gorgeous, he bought you roses, and you haven’t smiled more in your life than you have in these past two weeks. I’m just asking as your best friend if there’s anything you need to get off your chest or sort out.”
“Thank you, but no. I’m all good. And now I’m back to work and back to normal.”
Georgie eyed her, and Rachel took a deep breath. But the thought of Zander brought a smile to her face, as it always did. She could feel her face turning into the over-the-top, cheesy grin.
“Busted. Look at your smile. You like him. You like him, like him,” Georgie said.
The nail technician stopped her work for a moment to look up at Rachel. She smirked at her. “She’s right. You’re totally blushing,” she said, speaking more words than she had the entire pedicure.
Rachel flung her head back against the chair’s headrest. “Well, listen. I’ll admit he’s attractive and that he caught my attention. And there’s just something about him that I like, that makes me smile. He loves theater like me, and it just feels like we have so much to talk about. But that’s it. It’s friendly, that’s it.”
“How friendly?” Georgie asked.
“Just friends kind of friendly. I’m serious. I know going down the road to love. That would just lead to all sorts of issues. I enjoy his company. Is that a crime?”
“No. But I think if you’re telling yourself that’s all it is, you’re kidding yourself.”
Rachel sighed, thinking of the other night in the restaurant, remembering how it felt to be in Zander’s arms. She thought about the moment when she was convinced Zander was about to kiss her—and how she hadn’t shied away from that.
“I don’t know, Georgie. I can’t explain it. There’s just something there. It came out of nowhere. It’s like from the moment he came into my life, it’s just been different. It’s been complicated sorting it out, but it’s also been easy, you know? Like spending time with him, being with him is the easiest thing I’ve ever done.”
“You’re done for,” Georgie said quietly, a smile softening her words.
“I might be,” Rachel admitted. It felt good to get her worries off her chest. “I can’t stop thinking about him.”
“You know this is going to get messy. Especially if you’re adamant about not getting involved with him. The longer you carry this out, the more you see him, the harder it’s going to be to get out of it all.”
“I know. And gosh, what would everyone else think? I’ve been so vocal in the club that I’m never letting love get in the way again. Please don’t mention anything to them.”
