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She thinks for a minute and then says, “I’ve never really thought about it.”
“Right. Well, tell me more about your job,” I say. It was a dumb question.
She works at the hospital. I listen as she describes what she likes and doesn’t like about her job. She comes to life talking about her work, and I’m enjoying her company more. This entire evening I’ve been comparing her to Juno. It’s not fair to Britta – that’s for sure. It’s not really fair to me either.
I nearly sigh out loud. Maybe it’s time to think about Juno differently. I didn’t want to be with her a few years ago because she needed to experience things and take risks. I feared I’d hold her back, but now she’s done things and had relationships and taken those risks. She’s moving into a different stage of life. Maybe she’d like to do it with me? I know she doesn’t want to hook up with me, but I’ve never asked her if she wanted to be in a relationship with me. The timing was never right, but she’s moving out here. Maybe this is a sign? Maybe it’s our time?
“How’s your work?” Britta asks as she pushes some steamed broccoli around her plate.
“It’s fine,” I say. “Eli and I have worked hard to put a good executive team in place so we can step back. I think both of us are tired of working and ready to live.”
“You two are really good friends?” she asks.
“Yes. Best friends. I’m lucky we were able to find success in business together too.”
“That’s rare,” she says.
I nod in agreement. “Do you want dessert? They are known for their lemon meringue pie here.”
She shakes her head. “I don’t eat sugar often, but don’t let me stop you from ordering.”
Well, I’m not going to eat it in front of her by myself. “No, I’m fine.”
When the server comes back, I ask for the check.
Later when we’re standing outside the restaurant, I say, “Thank you for the date.”
“But...”
I wince. Was it that obvious?
She shrugs. “It’s okay. Some things aren’t meant to be.”
“You’re right. I wish you the best of luck,” I say. Better to be honest. It’s nothing against her personally.
She gives me a quick hug. “You too. It was nice meeting you.”
After I arrive back at my place, I pull a carton of ice cream from the freezer and sit down on the sofa with it. I’ve got to talk with Juno. It’s time. I thought I would have moved on from her by the time she was ready for a relationship with me, but I’m still hung up on her. I think about her constantly. I compare every woman to her. I just need to tell her I have feelings for her, and I want to try to be together. There’s a good chance she doesn’t want the same thing, but I’ve got to shoot my shot.
I dig the spoon into the carton and take a bite. It’s coconut ice cream and it immediately takes me back to that damn gelato riot. I start laughing. God, I don’t think I’ve ever seen Eli so annoyed. I take another bite as I think about sitting with her on the Spanish steps. She looked so beautiful I couldn’t look away. I knew I shouldn’t kiss her. I knew I was just asking for trouble, but I couldn’t do anything else. I had to do it, and I don’t regret it. Even with everything that’s come after, I don’t regret it.
I slam the carton shut and put it back in the fridge. Before going upstairs, I grab my wallet from my pocket and open it.
I pull out a little piece of paper and run my fingers over it – the drawing Juno did of the two of us at the Spanish steps. It’s just a silly little cartoon, but I look at it every day. At least once a day. Most days more.
I need to talk with her.
Iwilltalk with her.
Soon.
Sterling Family Group Text
Juno: Everyone say a little prayer for me tomorrow/send some good energy my way. We start filming.
Brooklyn: Oh, that’s so exciting.
Juno: And terrifying. I’m afraid I’m going to freeze.
