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“It’s okay if it was. I get it. And I meant it when I said this didn’t have to be a thing.”
“It started out that way, but I really like being around you. You’re easy.”
Her eyes widened with shock, followed by a loud short laugh. Then it dawned on me how that sounded.
“I didn’t mean you are easy. I just meant it’s easy being around you.” I shook off the embarrassment.
“It’s cool. I was just messing with you. I knew what you meant. So, what has you so uptight if it’s not her?”
“Her sister.”
“Ahhh.” She took another sip of coffee.
“She’s also my brother’s wife.”
“Whoa, maybe I slept with you too soon. You’re sounding worse than Lucas.”
“It’s not—It’s complicated. Really complicated. She was there for me when Tessa died and I just used it as a way to get by, but now I can’t talk to her. She keeps calling to check on me and be a good friend, but I don’t know how to be just her friend.”
“Well, she’s family, so you’re going to have to find a way.”
I dropped my head in my hand trying to rub the frustration away. If it could only be so easy.
“Want my advice?” She leaned over and placed her hand on my knee.
I rolled my head to face her and nodded.
“Tell her the truth. Tell her everything. Then apologize and move on.”
It had played out in my head so many times what I would tell her. That I loved her and didn’t know how to be her friend right now. That I needed space to get over Tessa and the idea of her. I practically had it memorized like a speech, but every time I tried, my mind went blank and I would say nothing. But maybe that was the answer. I had said goodbye to Tessa, and last night had pushed me through another obstacle, so maybe I was ready to tell Baylor the truth and then let it go. Move on.
“Thanks.” I stood up and went to grab my shirt.
When I came back out, Casen was sketching. She looked up and smiled.
“I think last night helped me, too.” She held up a sketch of a broken heart, but the outline in the space between the two halves made a ballet slipper.
“That’s cool.”
“Yeah, it is.” She put the book down on the table and stood in front of me. “Look, last night was intense and a lot of fun, but Lucas and I just broke up and you’re just figuring out yourself, so let’s just take things slow and see where it goes, cool?”
“Cool.” I stifled a laugh and bent down, kissing her on the forehead and then left.
I was pretty sure Casen just one-night stood me, but I wasn’t mad, because last night had shifted something in me and I felt like maybe, after all, coming to school was a good idea. I went straight for my phone when I got back to the apartment and dialed Baylor. It was time to face the past and plan for the future, because now I could clearly see one.
