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I snort and give Millie a skeptical look. Obviously, I need to spell it out for her. “You don’t understand. I’m not skinny and beaut-”
I don’t even get to finish my sentence before storm clouds descend over Millie’s perfect face and she cuts me off. “Charlotte Louise Grant, I promise you if you finish that sentence, I will whack you upside the head with something much harder than a pillow!” My eyes grow wide at this, and I mime zipping my lips to put her at ease. Millie may be one of the kindest people I have ever met, but she has a temper when it comes to protecting those she considers her own and she won’t hesitate to knock some sense into me if she feels she needs to.
Millie doesn’t look happy with my self-assessment. She huffs out an agitated breath and says, “no, you don’t look like me, but that is not a bad thing. You have sexy curves and luscious, curly hair. Not to mention an amazing — albeit dramatic—personality. Any man would be lucky to slide his ring on your finger! Michael was obviously a dumbass. That’s his problem, not yours. You just need to get out there and try again.”
“But…” Barely speaking above a whisper now, I ensure no more projectiles are coming my way before continuing, “It’s not just him, Millie. You don’t understand. You and Todd are perfect for each other and have been since college. I’ve never had that. With any guy I’ve dated. I keep waiting on my Mr. Right, but it’s exhausting. I’m surrounded by happy endings. I know they exist. Why is it so hard to get one of my own?”
Alright, so I might have been whining a bit at the end, but I don’t even care at this point. Millie won’t judge me for it, and sometimes I need to break down just a little before I can pull myself back together and get down to business. Millie is my safe space where I can unpack all my crazy without fear of it being held against me later.
Millie’s eyes soften just a bit as she reaches out and squeezes my hand. “Have faith. He may be a little directionally challenged, but he’s out there. You can’t give up just yet. Love doesn’t happen on schedule. But I know he’s going to be worth the wait.”
My chest warms at her words. Millie has always been my biggest cheerleader, and I truly wouldn’t know what to do if life hadn’t brought us together all those years ago. Pulling her in for a hug, I squeeze tightly and say, “You really missed your calling, Mil. You should have been a motivational speaker. I was all set to move myself, Cecil, and my newly obtained horde of cats in here to live on your couch, but you talked me off that ledge. And in good time, I might add.”
I feel Millie’s soft chuckle before I hear it. Releasing me and leaning back, Millie says, “That’s good. Because I can’t see Todd agreeing to that many new roommates.”
I laugh at the mental image that her words paint for me, the stress of my bad date melting away. Todd is great, but he’s also a clean freak and that many animals would have him running for the hills. I open my mouth to respond to Millie but my words are forgotten as I notice a smoky smell begin to permeate the surrounding room. Scrunching up my nose, I ask, “Oh, what is that?”
Panic crosses Millie’s face just before she yells, “Dammit I forgot about your emotional support brownies!”
two
Love Board
The brownies were not salvageable. As I looked at the charred remains of my favorite treat, I vowed my love life would not meet the same fate. I gave myself a reasonable amount of time to mope about the dismal state of my love life, but now, I’m ready to get back out there. This time, I have a plan. And now that Millie is here, I’m ready to put my plan into action.
“Are you sure this isn’t a little excessive? You’ve been watching that crime show too much,” Millie remarks, her beautiful face scrunching up in confusion as she observes the new addition to my living room. I live in a townhouse in one of Philly’s more desirable neighborhoods. It’s an old building but was recently renovated before I purchased this unit and the open concept living and dining area make it feel much larger than it is. At least on a normal day. Now, though, a large display board sits across from the couch, taking up entirely too much space, and looking extremely out of place. It blocks my view of the TV, but I consider it a worthwhile sacrifice.
The words ‘Love Board’ are pinned across the top, and the remaining board is split into three separate areas. On the far left, I dedicated an area to list the qualities I desire in my prince charming.
Sense of humor
Loves Animals
Kind
Knows proper use of ‘there, their, and they’re’
Handsome
