Stella, you’re being deranged.
It hasn’t even been that long. He’s not ghosting you.
“Stella, you’re supposed to be dressed and ready to go!” Ansel launches herself onto my bed.
I sit up, glance at the clock. I slept for almost three hours. I stretch my arms overhead, forgetting I’m in just a towel.
“Sorry, Ansel. Apparently, I was more worn out than I thought.” I grab my phone.
No missed calls. No texts.
I feel so stupid.
“Would you totally hate me and end our BFF pact if I said I wanted to stay in, order an ungodly amount of Chinese food, and binge The Bachelor?”
Ansel sits up, instantly serious. “I feel like saying no to Chinese food and The Bachelor is the ultimate betrayal. Get dressed, babe. I’ll order food and grab the margs.”
She leaves without asking a single question.
I throw on my favorite sweatpants and oversized sweatshirt and head into the living room. True to her word, margaritas are on the table alongside two shots of tequila.
We clink glasses, down the shots, and dive into the strawberry margaritas. No words. Just presence. My best friend sees the weight on my shoulders.
Once the food arrives, we spread the boxes out and start eating. A few quiet minutes pass before Ansel sets down her fork.
“Okay, Stell. What’s going on? I thought things were good?”
I twirl my fork through my noodles, trying to find the right words. “I spent an amazing week with Donovan,” I say, dragging out “amazing” in a very suggestive tone.
“I’m not dumb, Stella. Last time we talked, you were practically glowing with sins.” She smirks, chewing.
“Ansel Adamina Lennox, for all that is holy, please let me get this out.” I see her eyes twitch at the mention of her full name.Bingo. Her parents thought they were clever.
“We had romantic dinners, deep conversations. He gave me so many mind-blowing orgasms.”
Ansel pumps her fists like an overexcited frat boy.
“When I left this morning, I thought… We were back together. It felt like a promise. Like the future we always talked about was finally possible.” I take a long drink of my margarita. “But the minute I drove away, I felt this awful dread. Like going home was the beginning of the end.”
She doesn’t say anything right away, just looks at me with that deep, knowing stare.
“Stella, you know how much I believe in the magic of tarot and gut feelings. Intuition shouldn’t be ignored. But I think you’re overwhelmed. You weren’t expecting to see him, and when you did, all those feelings rushed back. It makes sense you dove headfirst.”
She reaches out and pulls me into a hug.
“I feel so stupid right now,” I whisper. “Logically, I know all this, but emotionally? I’m spiraling. What if he doesn’t want a future? What if I’m just a convenient hookup while I’m there?”
Her arms tighten around me. “Stella. You are spectacular. Kind. Hilarious. You have great tits and an even better ass, the music taste of someone who runs on caffeine and chaos, and the best friend a girl could ask for.” She sits back, eyes fierce. “He’d be an idiot not to want you back. But even if he’s being a dumbass and this is just a hookup, then rock his damn world andwalk away with your head held high.” “Rock his damn world?” I snort, and margarita shoots out of my nose.
Ansel grabs her own margarita, grinning. “Also, maybe he’s just, like... actually busy today?”
I nod, letting her words sink in. But still—
I check my phone one more time just in case.
Nothing.
Donovan
