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I assessed the neutral paint, natural wood and rattan, the numerous plants high on the fireplace mantel away from Brayleigh’s busy fingers. It was beautiful but lacked personality.
“That wall,” I said aloud. “I’d make an accent wall.” I sipped my wine and continued my appraisal. The chandelier over the dining table…I’d go wild with that. Something eye-catching. A showstopper. A few scatter rugs across the hardwood to warm it up. Something to match the accent wall.
Looking at the wide, unbroken expanse of buttery cream, I considered options, but my attention was drawn again and again to the barren expanse of cream. Something clicked and settled. I’d start with art. Then add the accent wall. Then the rugs.
It was time I started planning for a solitary life.
A notification alerted me, and I crossed to see that Kyle had responded. I pulled my laptop onto my lap and relaxed back against the couch to chat with Mr. Going Nowhere.
I’d call Lucky tomorrow about getting together to discuss the possible changes. Maybe if I talked it out with him, I’d be closer to figuring out how I felt about it myself.
I tapped out a reply. So far, he seemed normal, but I wasn’t so easily fooled. So many of these guys were married and it took some time to suss them out. If they had little compunction about screwing over their wives, they gave absolutely zero shits about lying to a stranger on the internet. For these guys you’re just a warm hole and a set of legs to wrap around their deceitful hips.
I opened my browser and searched for art stores close to me. I could order online, but being tactical, I liked to see and touch and get up close and personal. They didn’t like that in the art world. I’d learned to keep my fingers to myself, but I still had to see it in person.
H: How old are you? I can’t tell from your picture.
K: 30s. You?
H: 38.
K: No hesitation. I like that.
H: Why should I hesitate? Isn’t this about getting to know one another? What do you do for a living?
He easily answered the rest of my questions, only with his age was he vague. Maybe he was closer to or even on the other side of 40. Maybe he thought it would bother me?
K: I’m going to let you go before I mess up our first interaction by somehow putting my proverbial foot in my mouth.
H: I’m well known for doing that myself.
K: I’d love to meet you in person. Coffee?
H: I can do coffee, but I’ll be bringing a friend with me.
K: Is she as nice as you are?
I thought about Ava and laughed to myself.
H: So long as you keep on her good side. And it’s not hard to keep on her good side.
K: I’ll ask my buddy to come along and chaperone. He’ll get a kick out of it. Let me know your availability. Sleep well.
I tapped out a quick text to Ava, Lucky’s younger sister and my other best friend. Nothing like keeping it in the family.
Bestie: We have a possible double date.
Better half: I thought we agreed no more internet dating until I spring my first grey pubic hair?
I laughed. In person, Ava was quiet. On TikTok and when she was comfortable there was no telling what might come out of her mouth. I’d begun calling her my better half around the time she’d given up on Lucky and I getting married and riding off into the sunset.
Four years younger, she tagged along with Lucky and I everywhere she could. And when Brayleigh was born, Ava showed up in ways that solidified her place in my life, and heart, for eternity.
Bestie: I think the offending grey hair had to show up in my ancient pubes, not yours.
Better Half: So, you have one?
Bestie: Nooo… But I had a normal conversation with a seemingly nice guy online and agreed to meet him if you could come.
