“She didn’t really plan it. She wanted to do dinner and a movie,knowingthat rom-coms aren’t my thing, but I went anyway because I know that she likes them. Then, I’m sitting there, waiting for her to come out of the bathroom, and she just asks me if I want to go to dinner. It was her date night to plan, but she hadn’t planned anything. She didn’t have a restaurant in mind; she hadn’t made a reservation or anything. When I suggested we go home instead because I knew how busy everything would be, she didn’t want to dothat, either, but Iwastrying.”
“And yet, you didn’t actually have dinner with her.”
“I could tell she was at least frustrated or annoyed with me, and I was tired. I was also frustrated or annoyed withher. Shewas the one who wanted a date night, and it felt like she didn’t put in any effort. I picked her up, and it appeared like she’d expected me to have flowers for her at the door. When I just used my key and walked in, she, like, looked caught off guard, but I always use my key. If she wanted an experience or something, she could’ve asked me.”
“Experience?”
“Yeah. Like, had she told me that she wanted us to pretend like I don’t have a key and that we’re doing our first date all over again, I would’ve done that. Instead, she just seemed annoyed from moment one, which put me on edge. I mean, we both worked all day; we were already tired. I didn’t need to feel like shit on top of it. To answer your question, though, no, I haven’t seen her since then. It has been a week. We’ve texted and talked on the phone, but nothing in person.”
“You haven’t seen your girlfriend, whom you basically live with, in a week?”
“We don’t live together,” River argued. “And it felt like we could both use some space. I’m supposed to go over there tonight, though. I was thinking about making a reservation somewhere and making a big deal out of a date night redo. I’ve apologized, and she has accepted it, but I know I was a bitch to her, so I’m ready to grovel if I need to.”
“River, can I ask you something?”
“Yeah.”
“Do you love Lacey?”
“What? Of course, I love her.”
Calista nodded at her and said, “I’ve been with Ashton for nine years.”
“Oh, God… Here we go. Please tell me how amazing you and your wife are together again,” she replied, only half-teasing, and crossed her arms over her chest. “For the millionth time this month.”
“Don’t be an asshole again. I am being serious. We’ve been together for nine years, almost ten now, and I love her more than I did when we first met, which I thought was impossible. Do you feel that way about Lacey? A year and a half in, do you love her more than you did when you first got together?”
“I’m sure I do. I love her differently, at least. Like, I know more about her now than I did when I first said that to her, so I think I love her differently because of that.”
“Okay.”
“Cal, just spill it. What are you suggesting over and over again every time we talk about my relationship?”
“You don’t seem happy,” Calista stated. “You seem like you’re going through the motions with her, River, but I don’t know why. She’s great. I like Lacey a lot. I think she’s good to andforyou, but it’s not looking how it did when you two first met, and I worry about you.”
“We’re fine. We’re just in a rough patch. Tonight, we’re going to get out of it. I’m making a reservation at the place where we had our first date. She loves it there. Then, I’ll take her on a walk or something. It will be romantic. We’ve gotten into this habit of not being romantic with each other, and I’m part of the problem, I know, but sometimes, she gets home from work, and she’s just so tired that I don’t even want to make her go out anywhere; you know? I order us dinner in so that we can relax together, but I think she’s done with that or, at least, needs a break from it. I’ve got this.”
“Whatever you say,” Calista replied.
“Hey, not all of us can meet the love of our lives our freshman year of college, become best friends right away, and then dance around the fact that we’re clearly in love with each other until we finally get together years later,” she suggested.
“Yeah, yeah.” Calista laughed and finished her fudge. “Need any help closing up around here?”
“Actually, yes. Can you do the bank deposit for me? That would be a big help. I need to get upstairs to make the reservation and get ready.”
“Sure; no problem. You know if you need me around more, I can be, right? I only stay away because I know you like running the show here.”
“You don’t have to stay away, Cal. It’s your business, too.”
Calista had written a children’s book right out of college, which had turned into a bestseller practically overnight. She’d published six more in that series by the time they were in their mid-twenties, and she’d made good money that she had been able to save since Ashton had come from money and owned their home. When River had been ready to open this place, the loan she’d been able to secure had really only been possible because of Calista’s name also being on the paperwork. River had had very little saved up at the time, so it would’ve been a long shot without Calista’s help. She would always be grateful to her best friend, who had helped her get this place going, and she planned to eventually buy her out, which Calista knew about and was ready whenever River was, since she was a full-time writer and was also trying to have a baby with her wife.
After wrapping up downstairs, River hurried into the shower, blow-dried her hair, put on some decent clothes instead of the usual stuff she wore when she was in the back of the shop, and headed over to Lacey’s place. Having parked on the street, since there wasn’t a guest spot for her car, she walked upstairs to pick up her girlfriend the right way.
“Hey,” Lacey greeted as she opened the door.
River looked her up and down and was surprised to find Lacey in her blue-and-white plaid pajama pants and her dark-blue scoop-neck T, looking like she was ready to go to bed, not out on their date.
“Hey,” River replied. “Did you just get home? Need a few minutes to get ready?”
