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Arriving early, I park a couple of blocks away from the Village Spoon. Though the days are sliding deeper into October, the weather is unseasonably mild and I welcome the walk. Makes me feel less guilty about skipping Pilates yesterday morning. I get a hot tingle when I think about the workouts I’ve been getting with Mick instead.
Humming to myself, I browse the windows and dally inside an independent bookstore. I select a romantic novel with a happy ending and pick up a journal with a vintage floral cover. I’ve never kept a diary before. Not even as a young girl. Feelings were something I mostly avoided. But I’m on this new journey so just maybe…
With a bit more time to spare, I stop at a candle shop where I buy two jasmine pillars, then poke around a new jewelry boutique with a Grand Opening sign.
“May I help you?” A young saleswoman with her hair in a fishtail braid over one shoulder approaches.
“Just looking, thanks.”
I peruse the glass cases, sparkling beneath fluorescent lights. There is a pair of dangly earrings that I briefly consider and cufflinks for Mick that have typewriter keys. I’m still contemplating them as I find myself wandering over to the rings. Men’s rings.
The selection ranges from classic to handcrafted designs. I glance at each one until my eyes land on a piece that strikes me as perfect. I ask to see it.
“That’s from our Rebel line,” the sales woman says, opening the case. “Makes a statement, doesn’t it?”
“Yes,” I agree. Boldly so. The wide band, sculpted in black titanium with two rows of studded black diamonds, conveys power and strength. I assess the size, gauging it will fit. Then muzzling my internal lecture on all the sane and practical reasons why I shouldn’t, I insert my credit card into the machine and leave minutes later with the ring box in my purse.
I wait, expecting buyer’s remorse to set in at any moment. After all, we’ve only been back together a mere four days, not to mention I’d just blown my carefully managed budget. Instead, feeling elated at the notion of Mick wearing my ring, I practically skip across the street and enter the Village Spoon.
A high cathedral ceiling allows the compact dining room and cocktail lounge to seem simultaneously intimate and spacious. Jordyn is already there, seated in a booth. She lifts her hand to wave me over. A smile breaks across her face as I make my way through the bar, occupied by the after-work crowd.
“Hi, Jord.” I set my bags down and lean in for a hug before sliding in on the opposite side.
“Hi yourself, chickie. You are positively glowing.”
I touch my cheeks, unable to contain my grin. “Relationship high.”
“Looks good on you.”
There’s something in her voice that has me reflecting on her unexpected confession Friday night.
I’m not the kind of woman men want to settle down with. So why pursue something I’m gonna suck at.
Jordyn is selling herself short. It saddens me that she doesn’t see all she has to offer. That she thinks men will find her lacking; that they won’t find her soft and feminine enough. She’s so wrong, but I understand what it’s like to doubt your worth. Before Mick, I didn’t trust another man to love me for me either.
I stare back at my pretty friend with her short, sassy haircut framing high cheekbones and prominent mossy-green eyes. “A relationship with the right man would look good on you too.”
“Pfft. Are you still hung up on that? I told you it was the champagne talking. I’m not interested in sharing the remote or a bathroom. Waking up to the same man day after day, for weeks, months, God, years…uh-uh.” She shakes her head for emphasis, protesting a little too much.
“I just want to see you happy, Jord.”
“Please,” she groans. “Don’t become one of those people.”
“What people?”
“Those people who want everybody to be in a relationship becausetheyare. I’m happy that you’re happy. But I’m good as I am, okay?”
“Okay.” I let it go for the time being.
“Sooo…” She leans forward and puts her elbows on the white linen tablecloth. “Guess who just called me?”
“Who?” I ask, though I have a fairly good idea.
“I’ll give you a hint. He’s the hottest guy on the planet and in love with one of my best friends.”
“Hmm.” I put a finger to my temple and make a hard thinking face. “I’m drawing a blank.”
“Shut up.” She laughs. “You probably already know.”
