“I told you, everyone here is good people, and you crushed it. First meeting and you’re already out here causing cathartic ripples. That’s showoffy behavior right there. I respect it. Now, want to round out your debut with a smoothie? There’s a place a couple of blocks from here.”
I had hoped to make friends through this experience, but I hadn’t thought it would happen so soon. Talia had mentioned that I’d reminded her of herself on her first night, so maybe she wanted to make sure I wasn’t alone the way she’d been in the beginning, or maybe she was just one of those effortlessly social types. Either way, I wasn’t about to turn down the offer. “Sure. I’ll have to let my ride know.”
“Yay! Emotional soul bearing and antioxidant consumption. We are thriving today,” Talia exclaimed.
I spied Luke waiting outside the community center’s front doors. The fact that he hadn’t stayed in his car but stood there ready to greet me made my heart flip-flop with appreciation, and maybe something more I refused to acknowledge.
He straightened when he spotted me, greeting me with an irresistible smile and making it a lot harder to ignore the something more I kept trying to shove aside. One day, I knew I’d tumble overboard on this doomed cruise down the Nile and be forced to accept my fate, but for now I’d do my best to avoid that outcome.
I made my way over to him, while Talia wandered in the opposite direction, giving us privacy.
“Hey,” he said. “How did it go?”
“Good. I didn’t think I’d talk, but I did. A little.”
“You talked?” he asked, as if I’d imparted the best news he’d heard all week.
“I did.”
“Dude, that’s awesome! I know that first step can be scary as hell, but you did it. How did it feel?”
“I shared that I’d had concerns I’d be shunned from the group because I’m a man and don’t fit the typical profile of someone being abused. A few other people spoke up and shared how they’d also thought they didn’t belonged when they first started coming. It was nice. The facilitator has a calm energy. I think I’m going to like attending these sessions.”
“I’m so proud of you, Ollie. You’ve put in no small amount of work this past month. You should be proud too.”
“I actually think I am. And I sort of made a new friend, or well, someone I think could be a friend.”
“Yeah?”
I gestured toward where Talia now stood, a good distance away, scrolling through her phone. “Her name’s Talia. She invited me to get smoothies with her at a place within walking distance from here. I want to go, but since you’re waiting on me, I can skip it. I don’t want to derail your plans or take up too much of your time.”
“And stop you from crushing your friendship goals? No way. You’re out here tryin’ to grow your social circle, I’m not about to get in the way of that. Go forth and smoothie, and take your time. Tonight’s about you and whatever you need. My job is to hang back, cheer you on, and bask in the glory of your wins.”
Elation and gratitude over his response washed through me. Luke had rescued me in a moment of crisis, as Vincent once had, but the resemblance ended there.
Where Vincent’s so-called salvation had been the opening move in a calculated game toward ownership, Luke’s help carried no hidden hooks. He didn’t want to keep me small or dependent. He wanted my world to grow beyond his presence, to include other people and other joys. He nudged me toward expansiveness and celebrated the things I did for myself.
“Thank you,” I said.
“Anytime. Have fun, and text me when you’re wrapping up. I can pick both of you up from the smoothie place if you want, or meet you back here, whatever works. Just let me know.”
“Sounds good. I’ll let you know,” I said before walking over to Talia.
She waited until we were on the main street and then said, “Not to be that girl, but damn. When you said ‘my ride,’ I didn’t realize we were talking sexually blessed transportation.”
“Talia!”
“Hey, I’m appreciating the view. I have eyes. I’m using them. You didn’t warn me you were being picked up by a man who looks like he squats feelings, speaks fluent warm voice, and is easy on the eyes. He’s like a walking emotional support fantasy.”
“He is, but it’s not . . . we’re not like that. He’s my . . . he’s just . . . Luke.”
“Uh-huh. ‘Just Luke’ carries the same energy of people insisting they’re ‘just friends’ with someone while secretly dreaming about them.”
“Okay, fine. I’m maybe, possibly, only slightly, developing a bit of a crush.”So much for refusing to admit your feelings.
“Only slightly? Babe, you sighed his name just now, a rom-com trailer-level sigh.”
“Maybe, but I’ve been trying to stuff down these feelings and pretend they don’t exist.”
