“You’re good at this,” I said, slightly in awe.
“Yeah, it comes with practice. I dated quite a few dudes before I met Craig. Also, I counseled my Forest River friend Claire when she dipped her toe back into the dating pool after her divorce.”
“I remember,” I said. “So, for about a half an hour we had a great back and forth banter.” I frowned as I admitted, “I let my guard down, Syd. He was able to realize I was feeling something.”
“So? You say that like it’s a bad thing.”
“I don’t like to feel vulnerable,” I said in a small voice.
“No one does, but sometimes it is a necessary evil. Someone always has to take the first step. I’m glad you broke out of your comfort zone. What happened next?”
I took a deep breath as I remembered the words I read more than a few times last night. “He practically admitted he felt something for me, too.”
“Which would be a good thing if there wasn’t a but to follow, huh?”
“Exactly. He threw back in my face how I acted like as a child and had the audacity to tell me he waspetrifiedof having me get close to his daughter!”
“What?” She exclaimed so loudly I had to pull the phone away from my ear.
“Yes. You heard me.”
“Why would he say something so cruel?”
“Because he is an immature idiot who can’t get past his difficult childhood! I mean, really, Syd, I may have come up with an immature nickname for him, but I wasn’t responsible for the course of his life.”
“You’re right,” she said. “Promise me you won’t beat yourself up any more for something you did a lifetime ago.”
“It’s hard not to.”
“I know, but you’re not the kid you once were. You are a strong, talented, feisty, beautiful woman who clawed her way up the corporate ladder by working night and day. You are a fabulous friend, devoted daughter, stellar sister, and an amazing aunt.”
“I know, but—”
“Don’t youbutme. I told you yesterday, and I will tell you again today. I think this guy is an unstable, egotistical jerk. The bastard’s been playing head games with you for months! He even dragged me and our business into his quest for vengeance, which is totally not cool. You are best off driving well under the speed limit, making full stops at every sign, and erasing him completely from your mind.”
“I know,” I practically whispered.
“Look on the bright side…”
“There’s a bright side?”
“Yes, there always is. You have proven you’re finally capable of opening up to the concept of a relationship with someone, instead of just your keyboard. I call that progress! Craig has this great friend. He’s also an attorney, and recently divorced. He’s—”
“Sorry, Syd,” I said before she could say anything more. “I’ve got another call coming in.” I lied.
“Okay. Call me if you need anything. I love you.”
18
December
My pity partyonly lasted one day. The next morning, I pulled myself out of bed, dressed for work, and willed myself to forget all about Officer Obnoxious. I was mostly successful, especially since I changed my route to work to avoid passing his house.
As always, to distract me from my thoughts, I threw myself into my work. My mom was disappointed when I told her at the last minute, I couldn’t take the time off to travel to Charleston for Thanksgiving as planned. She was relieved I ended up going to Sydney’s house for dinner, because, like my friend, she was worried I’d spend the entire holiday hunched over my laptop eating a turkey sandwich.
Christmas was three weeks away, and I promised my mom I’d make it down South then. So, I had only three weeks left to get my act together and move forward.
“Are you ready?” Sydney asked as she popped her head into my office dressed in her coat and hat.
