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“Okay.”

“Text the details, see you on Friday.”

He hangs up.

“What’s the nicest restaurant in the area?” I ask Dina.

“The Wishbone in Round Rock.” She answers right away and without looking up.

“Thanks.

I pull it up on my phone and make a reservation for two at 7 pm that evening.

“Sorry about that.”

“Hot date?” She asks sarcastically.

“Hardly. It’s my agent and —”

She holds her hands up and shakes her head. “I was just kidding I don’t really care.”

At my slow blink, she cringes slightly. “I’m sorry. Was that rude?”

I smile at her knowingly. “Somehow, I don’t believe you actually care about that either.”

She smiles and her whole face lights up. “I just find being honest saves me a lot of discomfort and time.”

I laugh out loud. If Beth only has one friend, I’m glad it’s her.

“No, not rude at all. Thanks for your help.” I stand. I shove my phone and wallet into my pockets.

“Anytime. Please, please don’t fuck up and hurt my friend because then, I’ll have to ruin your life. And I like you.” She smiles sweetly and then turns back to her phone, dismissing me.

30

Beth

Good Vibes Only

It’s been a week since Carter left my house. And that same amount of time since I slept well. I spent the first two nights staring at my phone, waiting for him to call me so I could explain and apologize.

But he didn’t call.

And, I couldn’t’ find the nerve to. Instead, I started painting the piece I’d been building one sketch at a time.

I’ve barely slept this week. And when I finished the most pivotal part of it this morning, I was deliriously giddy at how it turned out.

That euphoria ran out nearly six hours ago. It took with it the mental block I’d put up while I was focused on finishing the painting. And all of the things I hadn’t thought about came flooding in. I've spent the rest of the day on my couch, paralyzed by indecision.

My doorbell rings and I trip over my feet running to answer it.

It has to be him

Heart hammering, I yank the door open and nearly burst into tears.

It’s Dina. An angry, glaring Dina.

She’s been calling me incessantly this afternoon. I turned my phone on silent and ignored her.