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I tell her about our evening, about the flowers and the cake, but skip some of the spicier bits. I love Kiara, but that’s just for me. Besides, I don’t want to traumatize the poor waiter more than he’s already been.
Our food appears just as I’m finishing.
“Damn, that boy did good.”
“He did, didn’t he?” I ask, grabbing one quesadilla.
“I seriously don’t understand why you’re such a hard-ass toward him. You’re so good together. You should give him a real shot.”
“He’s leaving, Kiara,” I point out. “He had some job interviews lined up, and he should be hearing from them soon if he hasn’t already.”
“If he hasn’t already?” Kiara frowns. “Didn’t you ask?”
I shrug helplessly, because no, I haven’t asked. The thing is, I don’t want to know. I don’t want to know where he applied for a job or what his number one position is. Because knowing that would mean facing the reality that the summer is coming to an end, and with that, he’ll leave too.
“Oh, Ness.”
“It’s fine.” I look down at my plate, although the food doesn’t seem half as appealing as it did a few minutes ago. “It was just a summer fling.”
Kiara places her hand over mine. I expect her to say something, but when she doesn’t, I glance up. “It doesn’t have to be, and you damn well know it.”
“How can it not? He was looking at jobs in Boston, and God only knows where else.”
“Boston isn’t that far away,” she points out.
“Maybe, but my life is here. And I meant what I said a few months ago. I’m not getting any younger. I want to have a family, Kiara. I want to be happy, and how can that be if I’m in a long-distance relationship with a guy who just finished college and is barely starting his life?”
Kiara’s head falls back as she lets out a groan. “Not this age bullshit again. From what I’ve seen, Quinn doesn’t care one bit about that, and neither should you. Besides, did you ask him what he wants? All joking aside, Quinn seems like a good guy, and he’s really into you, Ness. Age is just a stupid number, and it doesn’t define shit. You should know that better than anyone. Age doesn’t make you more responsible or ready you to be a parent or a partner.” She shakes her head. “I’m not saying to marry the guy and have his babies right away, but don’t run away from something because you’ve been hurt one too many times, and now you’re scared to open your heart.”
I look away, hating that she knows me so well. Hating that she’s right.
“Just think about it.” Kiara gives my hand a squeeze. “You deserve to find love, Ness.”
“You deserve it too.”
“Well, yeah, maybe.” She pulls back and lets out a dramatic sigh. “But first, I have to finish this case without pulling all my hair out. Or, you know, strangling my boss.”
I take the change of subject she offers me, and for the rest of our lunch, I listen to Kiara complain about her boss and the trial they’re preparing for. But I’m only half listening because the other half of my brain is still mulling over what she told me.
My phone vibrates, drawing my attention. I pick it up, a photo of Quinn, Nate, and a few of his friends pop up on my screen. They’re all sweaty from the workout, big smiles on their faces.
“Ugh, if I didn’t love you as much as I do, I’d be disgusted by the lovesick look on your face.”
“I’m not lovesick.”
She crosses her arms over her chest and raises her brow. “Do I need to pull out the mirror from my bag? ‘Cause you know I will.”
“Don’t pull anything out of that monstrosity because we’ll be here for a while.”
“That sounds like admitting defeat to me,” Kiara sing-songs.
“I’m not admitting anything.”
Kiara rolls her eyes. “Of course you aren’t.”
She grabs my phone from my hand and forces me to take a selfie that she shoots Quinn.
“There, now you can be a lovesick duo.”
