AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Love it,” Arielle says, missing her shot and then not even pretending to play the game anymore in favor of listening to Loretta.
“Final nail in the coffin? Boy tried suggesting that heels and makeup made me look like a drag queen.” Arielle is instantly in protective mode, ready to go to war to defend our friend and sputtering in anger, but Loretta smiles evilly and holds up a staying finger. “I handled it. I told him that if he didn’t want someone on or above his level—because let’s be clear, in my heels, I was taller than him and big boy could not handle that—that was his prerogative. But I don’t make myself small for anyone.”
“That’s right,” Becky agrees with her. Surprisingly, she adds, “Besides, height doesn’t matter when you’re horizontal.”
We all gape open-mouthed at her. Did sweet Becky just make a sex joke? She giggles, hiding her blush behind her hands.
“Ooh, girl. You got that right,” Loretta laughs, holding up a hand for a high-five. Becky slaps her palm to Loretta’s and then turns and sinks her last shot.
“Nothing to it,” Becky says. About her joke or the winning shot? Could be either or both, but her bold confidence is fresh. It’s cool to see how she’s growing before our very eyes from the previous shy, quiet girl into a strong woman who knows herself and isn’t afraid to share that knowledge.
Loretta and I play next, and she sweeps the game quickly. I consider it a win that I got a few successful shots that actually swished through the basket because I can’t hit the broadside of a barn, but Loretta’s score is more than triple what mine is because she’s got deadeye aim.
Becky and Loretta play the final knockout game, and now that things are serious, Loretta goes quiet as she concentrates. It’s a matter of pride at this point, and she won’t risk losing.
In the end, though, Becky has no chance. Loretta goes into Steph Curry mode, draining shot after shot.
“Great game,” Loretta tells Becky. Loretta’s still undefeated but is always a gracious winner.
Becky smiles and suggests, “Food?”
We all cheer, marching our way back to the table to meet the guys as we hold up Loretta’s arm in victory.
“Holding on to the title?” Eli asks Loretta, and she nods. We all sit down around the table, Simon pulling Becky’s chair out for her. Again, I think how cute they are and how much I’d like to have someone in my corner like that. It seems Loretta feels the same. I glance from Eli to Arielle, trying to judge what’s going on between them these days too, but there don’t seem to be any lovey-dovey vibes today.
We order a round of drinks, and when the waitress delivers them, Simon stops us from sipping. “Wait, I’d like to propose a toast.” We hold our glasses up high and wait for him to continue. “Here’s to years of friendship, of Mall Rats becoming family, and of families growing.”
We clink glasses and take sips, but Simon has paused pointedly, a large grin stretching his face and telling us to look through the words for something important. Becky’s smiling wide too, and finally, it clicks. “Are you pregnant?” I whisper, afraid to be wrong, but Becky nods excitedly.
“Just a little,” Becky says, and we all cheer. I hug her tightly, glad that she’s sitting next to me, and I get to show her some love at the awesome news.
Eli scoffs, amused. “There ain’t no such thing as a little pregnant. Either you are or you aren’t.” He holds his right hand out wide and then his left, way far apart.
“Then I am,” she concedes. “And there’s more. Simon, tell them the rest.”
At her urging, Simon once again draws our attention. “I also got a promotion to regional manager. I start next month.”
“What?”
“That’s awesome!”
“Way to go, man!”
We all celebrate their good fortunes, truly happy for them. “Thanks, everyone,” Becky says, smiling at Simon, who smiles back at her.
I want that.
I can see that now. I’ve been putting off dating and relationships for years, focusing on my work, and that’s been great, getting me to where I am. But it’s okay to reprioritize and make a little time for dating or more now that I’ve got a steady lifestyle. Even with Arielle pushing me, I wouldn’t have even considered joining the BlindDate app if I weren’t open to the idea.
Noah asked me to think about it, about him. To really give him and us a chance. And seeing Simon and Becky together is making me think long and hard about what I’m willing to risk and what I’m willing to walk away from.
Earlier today, Mabel talked about picking up her husband’s dirty socks for fifty years and how it made her happy and broke her heart when she couldn’t any longer.
