Maybe she’s texting Ricky, telling him the news.
Maybe she’ll invite him to come live here.
Or maybe he’ll invite her to move in with him. She said they’re in love. It could be an option.
And where does that leave me?
All alone.
Shit.
Jumping off the stool, I leave Jed and Tobs to their kiss-fest and slip into my bedroom. The door clicks shut behind me and I lean against it, staring up at the ceiling with a heavy sigh.
I should not be so gutted about this.
I should be celebrating for both of them. It’s such an amazing opportunity.
It’s just…
Just what?
You can’t use them as crutches.
I came here to make a big change. To start fresh and move on.
I came here to find love again, and I can’t keep standing on the sidelines or hiding behind my roommates. I have to throw myself out there.
Like I did with that guy tonight.
Pinging up straight, I pull the napkin out of my back pocket.
“Sutton,” I whisper, brushing my thumb over his phone number.
Chewing on my bottom lip, I stare down at those terrifying digits and feel my hand start to shake.
“You can do this. Just go out with him. One date. Who knows where it could lead.” I try to encourage myself.
Thinking about Nix and her loved-up blissfulness, I start to nod. Yes. I want that again. I’m going toneedit with Jed and Tobin leaving.
With my breath on hold, I grab my phone and carefully punch in Sutton’s number, sending him a text.
Hey. “Fancy a date sometime?” asks the girl from the bar.
Is that too bold? Too forward?
I frown, deleting it and trying several different versions before growling in frustration and going back to what I originally had, then adding a few emojis to make the tone playful and fun.
Squeezing my eyes shut, I send it and then wait against the door, staring down at the screen for those little dots to appear.
I only have to wait a few moments and… there they are.
I let out a relieved sigh, gripping the phone and waiting… waiting…
Sutton (from the bar): You bet I do. I’m free tomorrow night. Where should we meet?
Tomorrow night?
That’s fast.
