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The air seemed to thicken around me as I stood there, trapped between Andrea’s lingering presence and Trisha’s impending departure.
“Trisha,” I started, but she turned on her heel without another word, leaving me grasping at silence.
That’s it. Game over.
“Go after her.”
Andrea’s unexpected encouragement jolted me back to reality.
I blinked, surprised. “What?”
Her smile was genuine, devoid of any prior coquettishness. “I see it, Blaze. There’s something real between you and her. She’s who you want.”
Struggling to find words, I stammered, “Andrea, I...”
“You’re a good guy,” she continued, her voice warm yet firm. “I liked that, especially after my last fucked up relationship. But I won’t be a second choice or a consolation prize.” A touch of sadness flickered in her eyes. “If you really care about Trisha, go tell her. And, please apologize to her from me. I wouldn’t have kissed you if I’d known.”
Her understanding took me aback. “Thank you,” I managed. “And I’m sorry about Aunt Theresa’s matchmaking efforts. She was just trying to help.”
Andrea nodded. “I get it. And remember, you deserve someone who chooses you first, too.”
I leaned in and hugged her in a friendly gesture. “Your ex was a fucking idiot to let you go.”
She smiled, a soft chuckle escaping her. “Now, go get your girl.”
Wasting no time, I bolted out the kitchen door, bypassing the living room to avoid any family interference. The realization that I might lose Trisha was a weight pressing down on me, driving me forward.
I rounded the house, my heart sinking as I saw Trisha’s car already making its way down the driveway.
I weighed my options. Hiring a private investigator to track her down felt too invasive, too impersonal. Not to mention it would make me look like a psycho stalker. Forgetting about her was out of the question. That left me with one choice—to follow her.
Without a second thought, I grabbed the keys to the family’s spare car and tore after her. It didn’t take me long to catch up. I kept a safe distance, mindful not to make her uncomfortable or put her at risk. It was only an hour’s drive to San Francisco, after all. The thought of what to say and how to express how I felt raced through my head.
The remnants of the storm were evident as we exited the highway. Downed branches and debris littered the roadside, a stark reminder of the hazards Trisha could have faced if she’d left earlier.
The drive became a test of nerves, my hands white-knuckled on the steering wheel as I focused on Trisha’s car ahead. Following someone without a clear destination in mind was harder than I’d imagined.
Pulling into the parking lot next to an apartment building, my heart raced. If I didn’t catch her now, I might lose my chance entirely. I found a spot and rushed out, only to see Trisha waiting by her car. Her expression was unreadable, but the fact that she waited for me was enough to keep my hope alive.
“I didn’t kiss her,” I said quickly, the words tumbling out. I ran a hand through my hair, frustrated at my own lack of finesse. “She kissed me, but it wasn’t what I wanted. I was caught off guard, that’s all.”
Trisha’s lips twitched slightly, a hint of amusement in her eyes that spurred me on.
“Andrea was someone I desired in high school, but that’s all in the past now,” I continued, trying to lighten the mood. “Back then, I also thought wearing Axe body spray was the peak of sophistication.”
Her laughter broke through, easing the tension just a bit.
“Let me be clear, Trisha,” I said earnestly. “My feelings for Andrea are long gone. You’re the one I’m crazy about and can’t get out of my mind.”
Trisha’s eyes glistened, a mix of emotions playing across her face. I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts.
“Trisha, what we’ve shared these past days... it’s been more than just a casual fling for me,” I confessed. “I’ve come to care about you more than I’ve allowed myself to feel for anyone in a very long time. It’s been incredible, and I don’t want it to end here. I know we have a lot to figure out, but I want to give us a real shot to see where this could go.”
I stepped closer, stopping just short of reaching out to her. I wanted to touch her, to pull her close, but I held back, waiting for her response.
“If you don’t feel the same, if you want to leave things as they are, I’ll understand,” I said, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside. “I’ll respect whatever decision you make.”
Silence stretched between us, a defining moment that held the potential to change everything. I waited, my heart in my throat, hoping she felt the same way.
