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“I swear, you can find a way to spin anything.” I shake my head, unlocking the car before peeling open the driver’s door and sliding inside.
“You know I’m right,” she tells me, hopping into the passenger seat.
“Actually, no, I don’t. Did it ever occur to you that maybe we just ran into each other in the hallway and she thought it was polite to say hello?”
“You’re such a Debbie Downer.” She pouts, snapping her seatbelt in place.
“No, I’m a realist.”
“Well, realistically you’re a Debbie Downer.”
“I like him, okay? But Hen, he just lost his wife and I am not the person that can follow some epic love story that ended in tragedy. Even if he was interested in me, which I’m not saying he is, I don’t think I could go there with him.”
“It’s been three years, Peyton.”
“It doesn’t matter how long it’s been. Some wounds don’t heal.”
“You’re referring to your mom.” She gives me a sympathetic look. “Listen, I know losing her is still anguish for you but, Peyton, this is different. She was your mom. You can’t assume everyone feels the same as you do or handles their grief the same way. For all you know he’s ready to put himself out there and find love again.”
“Trust me, he’s not,” I tell her bluntly. “Five minutes with that man and you’ll know he’s not.”
“That doesn’t mean he doesn’t want to,” she argues. “Maybe he just doesn’t know how to.”
“I’m not talking about this anymore.” I start the car and quickly shift it in reverse.
“You know the only reason you’re getting all cranky on me is because you really like him.”
“I already told you I like him. And I also told you the reasons why it doesn’t matter.”
“One of these days, Peyton.” She sighs. “One of these days you’re going to get out of your own way and let yourself try to be happy.”
“I am happy.”
“Yeah, but you’re also lonely. You may not admit it, but I know you are. I know you, Peyton Rivers. You are a hopeless romantic at heart. And you keep waiting for the right guy to stroll in and sweep you off your feet. You expect it to be effortless and that’s not how relationships work.”
“I’m not a child, Henna. I know how relationships work.” I can’t help the irritation that comes out in my voice.
“Then act like it,” she snaps back. “Stop sitting around waiting for Mr. Perfect when Mr. Right could be standing in front of you.”
“Why are you doing this?” I look in her direction for a brief moment before my gaze goes back to the road. “Why are you pressing this so hard?”
“Because I see how you look at him. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you clam up around a guy the way you do Abel. I guess I figure it has to mean something, and I don’t want to watch it slip through your fingers because you’re scared.”
“So, what if I am? I have a right to protect my own heart.”
“I know that, of course I do, but would it really be so bad for you to keep an open mind and let things play out rather than fighting yourself every step of the way.”
“Play out? Who knows when I’ll see him again, if ever.” I ignore how the thought of never seeing Abel again makes me feel because it’s too unsettling to face.
“Come to Mulligan’s on Thursday. Aaron and I are going to see Abel play. Come with us.”
“Why? So I can play the third wheel?”
“No, so you can feel out this Abel situation a little more and see if maybe something is there.”
“I don’t want toseeif something’s there.”
“Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit.” Henna smacks her leg.
