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“I am. I just have a few things to work out.”
“Such as? Is it a man?”
“Mom,” I groan, hating how she can know this shit without me saying anything.
“It is, isn’t it? Go on then, tell me.”
“Well, for starters, he’s nothing like Kyle.”
“Oh, thank God.”
A laugh bubbles out of me, and I’m surprised by it, not having felt like laughing all day after talking to Courtney this morning. “Well, his name is Tyler.”
“Don’t tell me, it’s Jake and Ryan’s younger brother?”
“Yes,” I sigh.
“That family must have something in their blood that you girls are so drawn to. I think I’ll have to come and see the fuss for myself.”
“I would love for you to visit, but you’re not coming just to scope out the Taylor’s.”
“Fine, fine, keep going then. Tell me all about him.”
“He’s kind, thoughtful, generous, funny, caring, handsome…oh he’s so handsome mom,” I tell her, unable to hold back my smile. “He’s a firefighter, and in his free time, he’s restoring his beautiful house that’s literally right on the coast.”
“Sounds like the perfect man,” she says, but her tone is indicating that she’s waiting for the ‘but’.
“But…I don’t think I’m ready to dive into another relationship. Not after how things ended with Kyle. We’ve been hanging out though, you know, as friends.”
“Oh, is that what they’re calling it these days?”
“Mom, oh my god.” I feel my face turning red even though she’s a thousand miles away.
“Please,” she sighs. “I’m old, not senile. So, you’ve been spending your time with him, and what started as ‘hanging out’ has turned into something more for you, and you don’t know he if wants that too?”
“I guess…yes.” How does she always know?
“Talk to him, honey.”
“I don’t want him to feel trapped into anything.”
“In other words, you want him to be the one to say he wants more first.”
“Yes.”
“But he knows the reason you’re there, yes? He knows about Kyle?”
“Yes.”
“Then perhaps he doesn’t want to pressure you, Ellie. If he’s as wonderful as you make him out to seem, then I can guarantee you he’s waiting for you to say you’re ready. Not the other way around.”
“I still don’t think I should be starting something with the first man who treats me right after the a-hole. What if it’s just me clinging to something because I want to feel wanted?”
“If you feel that way, then maybe try going on a date with someone else. If you’re not exclusively dating Tyler, that is. I didn’t raise you to be a cheater.”
“No, we’re just friends.” Those two damn words haunt me every time I say them, and they feel like a lie the minute they leave my mouth.
“Then maybe that’s a good thing. See how it feels to have another man’s attention. Then you’ll either know what you’re feeling for Tyler is real, or you’ll know it’s because he’s just the complete opposite of Kyle.”
