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Does it mean something that I let him kiss me and touch me like that when he wasn’t paying?
“Who are you messaging?” Kalli takes me so by surprise I jump and switch off my screen.
She hands me a large glass of white wine and gives me a knowing look.
“No one.”
Kalli snorts. She takes a seat beside me on the sofa, mirroring my pose and taking a sip from her own glass. “That old chestnut, huh? Never worked on Mom, either.”
I laugh, remembering when we were younger how Kalli used to cover for me while I’d sneak out to meet James. God, I was stupid.
“OK, it might be someone, but it’s not what you think.”
“What do you think I think?” she asks me.
“I think you think I’ve got a new boyfriend, but I don’t. He’s just... someone I know from work.” It’s a lame cover. Kalli quirks a brow at me and takes another sip of wine.
“Not the married guy whose wife is a bitch?”
I almost snort my wine at the question. “No! Kalli, I would never.”
She laughs. “I know. I’m only teasing. But you like whoever he is, don’t you?”
I hesitate. It’s true. I don’t know how it happened, but somehow I genuinely started liking Jarradek. I nod. “Guilty.”
“Is this the guy you went out with before? You should see him again. Suggest he comes out for dinner or a walk or something.”
I sigh. “It’s complicated.”
“Well I’m glad you’re getting out there again. You deserve someone special. Just tell New Guy to make it uncomplicated or you’ll find someone else!”
I smile. Kalli has this beautiful way of seeing the world like it’s full of possibility. I love that she can. I think maybe I was like that once. Before life showed me most possibilities turn out to be dead ends. “Haha, yeah. Something like that.”
Kalli’s expression grows serious and she sets down her wine. “Mel, is everything OK? I mean with James?”
I swirl the liquid in my glass, keeping my eyes down. “I don’t know.” It’s the honest truth and I owe it to her. It scares me to say it out loud, though.
“You know if there’s anything I can do—”
I reach over to take her hand, something that shouldn’t feel awkward, but still kinda does. “You are doing it. Trust me. It means so much to have your help. But I need to work this out for myself. You know?”
She nods. “Yeah. I get it. Just know that I’m standing by ready to jump in on your team whenever. And you should know that Rin has some pretty crazy-ass tendencies when it comes to being protective and I’ll totally set him on James if you want me to.”
Our shared laughter breaks the uncomfortable moment. I let go of her hand and take another sip of wine.
“Thanks.”
We end up putting on Gilmore Girls and binge watching half of season one before I can’t keep my eyes open anymore. When I snuggle into the big soft bed in the second guest room, I grin when a message pops up from Jarradek.
There’s a picture of his big bed, still looking rumpled from my midday nap and... other activities.
Bullistic: this picture would look better if you were in it xx
God damn this guy. Maybe I should get mean with him if he’s going to get all cute. I don’t respond.
***
When I wake up thenext morning, I reach immediately for my phone, but there’s no message from Jarradek. Not that weird, I guess. I will admit, I was expecting one.
