“Nicole that's awesome! I really think he’s the guy for you!” Zaina said confidently.
“I guess we will see. Now I’m driving myself bonkers, hoping he’ll reply.”
“Yeah, that sucks. Hmmm, what’s a good distraction?” Nicole could hear Zaina tapping her nails against a table.
“I’ll try anything.”
"Wait! I’ve got it! Watching animals doing funny stuff on your phone! Every time I do that, I think only ten minutes has passed, but it’ll turn out I’ve been on my phone for like an hour."
“I guess I’ll try it. I’m dying over here; the waiting is terrible. I hope he texts me back tonight and puts me out of my misery. Don’t look at me like that.”
“How do you know I’m looking at you like that? We aren’t on Facetime.”
“Please, how long have we been friends? I know you are giving me a look that’s saying, you are experiencing the consequences of your own actions, silly woman!”
“Okay, I am, and you are,” Zaina said in a singsong voice.
“True, and I deserve it. Ugh, I’ve been an unmitigated ass.”
“Yes, you have. Fortunately, I’m pretty sure Sean is the type to forgive you.”
“God, I hope so.” Nicole let out a sigh.
“It’s gonna work out, Nicole.”
“Thanks Z, I really appreciate the pep talk.”
“Anytime, Nic! That’s what best friends are for.”
“Love you.”
“Love you too! Now go watch some videos and stop stressing out!” Zaina commanded.
“Bye!” Nicole sighed. Well, at least it was now seven-thirty. She figured that if Sean looked at her text tonight, it probably wouldn’t be until after he was done at work so that probably wouldn’t be until nine or ten.Oh no,she thought,what if he sees it and thinks it’s too late to text and he waits until tomorrow.Ugh!She threw a throw pillow across the room.
She put away the leftover soup and bread and then began watching funny animal videos. She was surprised how many videos featured bears. Nicole was watching the fourth in a series of videos involving bears showing up on people’s ring cameras when a text notification popped up from Sean. Her heart pounded in her ears and warmth flooded her body. This was it. Her hand was shaking as she opened the text.
She read it once, then she read it again and did a dance around her living room. He wanted to come over! She knew that he’d probably had a long day at the restaurant and that he didn’t have to work on Monday, so maybe she should suggest they get together tomorrow night.
She began typing:
NICOLE: Are you free tomorrow night?
Her finger hovered over the send button. She couldn’t do it, she had to go for broke and see if he could come over tonight, preferably like right now.
NICOLE: Are you free now?
She hit send and let out a huge breath of air.If he’s not free tonight, that’s okay, it’ll be fine,she reassured herself. Then she could ask him if he was available tomorrow afternoon.
“I can be by in half an hour,” she read aloud then blurted out, “Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God!” Nicole jumped up and down as her brain short-circuited.
NICOLE: Sounds great!
She typed back and then made a mad dash to freshen up and change her clothes.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
SEAN
