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“No, but they have high-energy levels.” Sarah takes a deep breath, exhales slowly, and gulps down the rest of her wine.
“Just be careful of too much wine. You know what happens when you have a lot,” I tell her in a motherly way.
“Wine is my friend at times like these.”
“It’s also your worst enemy… just be cautious.”
“Yes, Mom,” she mocks as she stands to greet the sisters.
“C’mon, Sarah, there’s more dancing to be done,” Jade declares.
Sarah looks back at me, pulling a strained face as she’s dragged off to the dance floor. I chuckle while watching it all unfold, and then suddenly, just like that, I’m sitting at the table alone. At least I have a good view of Aiden while he and Chris stand together talking—probably about cars, knowing the two of them. I lean back in my chair and take another sip of my wine. The sun shines on my pale skin as I soak in some much-needed Vitamin D.
Suddenly, I realize I’m at a party, sitting on my own as usual, but this time I’m not single. For the first time in years, I know I’m completely off the market. Closing my eyes, I relax as I tilt my head back basking in the sun in utter contentment.
“Hey, Jeni.” My eyes flick open to see Tim approaching. I can’t help it as my muscles tense.
“Oh… hi, Tim. Having a good time?” I ask nonchalantly.
He sits next to me, maybe a little closer than absolutely necessary. “Can I be perfectly honest with you?”
Maybe if you were, we wouldn’t be in this weird place now, but sure why not.
Looking at him directly, I keep my inner thoughts to myself. “Sure, Tim. Fire away.”
He steadies his shoulders, looking nervous. “Here goes… I’ve always liked you. I mean, I do like you.”
My stomach falls to the ground as I furrow my brows, not knowing how to play this. “Friends are supposed to like each other, Tim,” I casually reply, wondering where this is heading, but knowing full well I’m not going to like the direction this is leading.
“No, I mean really like you. And I’m sure you like me that way as well.”
His confession rattles me to my very core. My stomach rolls as nervous, swirling waves overcome my body. “Oh… shit! Tim… I’m sorry if I led you to believe that I liked you in that way. I’m flattered, I really am. But… you know I have a boyfriend. I’ve always seen you as more of a brother to me. I’m so sorry, Tim.”
His eyes fall to the ground, scrunching like he’s in pain. “But you always catch my kiss. I don’t understand. Wasn’t that your way of showing me you felt the same?”
My body slumps. I’m reluctant to hurt him, and I feel bad that I probably will. “Tim, no. That wasn’t me flirting with you. I was playing along because it entertained you guys, and was just workplace banter, not because I secretly had feelings for you… which I don’t... I’m really sorry, Tim.”
He huffs loudly. While we sit in awkward silence, I avoid eye contact with him. Honestly, I want him to leave, but he stays next to me as if he wants to say something more, but he hesitates.
I feel so freaking bad for him.
He basically confessed his love for me, and I shot him down in flames. Tim must be feeling it, and that makes me feel like fucking shit. The tension in the air is through the roof, so I decide to break the awkward silence. “Tim.”
“Yes, Jeni?” He looks up at me with a glimmer of hope in his eyes.
“I don’t think we should mention this conversation to anyone.” I try to spare his feelings about being rejected.
He shakes his head slightly. “Are you sure you don’t feel the same way?” he asks as his hand brushes the side of my cheek.
I pull away dramatically, dropping my wine glass. It smashes as it hits the ground, and the noise makes me jump. “I’m sure,” I reply. Really uncomfortable with him touching me like that, especially with my boyfriend across the yard.
Tim watches me intently as I start to clean up the broken glass. Aiden walks over, and I smile, hoping he didn’t overhear or see any of the conversation. I sit back in my chair and exhale, looking up at the sky wishing the past five minutes would disappear from history.
Aiden peers at me with love in his eyes as he assesses the situation. “Enjoying the sun?” he asks as he sits next to me while keeping one eye on Tim.
“Mmm…” I murmur, feeling awkward that Tim’s still there and won’t fucking leave.
“I don’t want to tell you what to do, but maybe you should move into the shade. You’re starting to turn pink,” Aiden suggests, gently stroking my definitely burning arm.
