We were young, that’s true, but I thought…wrong. I thought that I was different. That he’d changed, despite all the stories I’d heard from him and my brother during their Harvard breaks.
“I see,” Lilly says carefully. “I’ll send you some Epsom Salt. Fresh from England. Your aura needs a cleansing bath.”
“I think I need something stronger,” I mumble.
“Then go visit your brother. Nothing clears your aura like the outdoors, being near the water.”
Yeah, no thanks. I’d rather let Lilly sage-steam me for hours than third-wheel Carter and Eliza in their lakeside love bubble.
I don’t want quiet. I want it to stop hurting every time I see his face.
“Let’s get this over with,” I huff out. “I’ve been dreaming of our lazy night for ages.”
We finish the session in silence, then my driver takes us back to mine to enjoy our pre-movie massages and the fluffiest pajamas known to humankind.
Once we’re properly boneless and warm, Lilly rummages through the fridge, hunting for the fresh kombucha I only keep in the house for her sake. “So,” she says, peering inside, “what rot are we feeding our brains tonight?”
I open the cupboard and raid the basket full of chips, cookies, gummies, popcorn, and chocolate. She pretends not to judge my snack choices, but her eyebrows creep closer to her hairline every time I reach for yet another bag.
“I found two new movies,” I add, entirely unapologetic. “Both about big city girls falling for small town lumberjacks.”
“At least they have a real job,” Lilly scoffs. “My last match told meveryproudly he was working on a revolutionary board game. About ducks,” she deadpans. “For the past ten years…”
Her dating stories never fail to entertain me. “And yet, you keep swiping right?”
“One day, Jackie.” She wiggles her finger at me. “If all these bad dates are the frogs I need to kiss to find my Prince Charming, so be it.”
“You have more patience and optimism than I ever will.”
Lilly lets out a snort. “Took you long enough to figure that out.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Lilly grabs the kombucha bottle and smirks over her shoulder. “I love you, Jackie, but I’d hate to date you.”
Outrage leaves me mouth hanging, fists planted on my hips. “Why not?”
“Because, my sweet honey bunny, when things get too real, you bolt.”
“I do not—”
She raises her palm. “You want to have a corny movie night, or an impromptu therapy session and revisit all your past relationships? Especially what happened with—”
“Let’s just start the movie,” I grumble. “Grab those snack bowls if you’re done psychoanalyzing me.”
“Until you start healing your root chakra,” she says solemnly, “that’s all the help I can offer.”
I look up to the ceiling, swallowing my retort, and head for the media room, biting back my smile. She means well, and I love her for it, but we’re definitely not on the same spiritual wavelength.
And Blanca? Don’t even get her started onthat. It’s why I rarely put them in the same room together.
We’re barely settled into the pillows-and-blankets nest on the oversized couch when my phone dings.
“No phones during movie night!” Lilly says, twirling her braids into a bun on the top of her head.
MICHELLE:Sorry for the late hour. I need to swing by and grab the reviewed proposal for the hearing on Monday.
MICHELLE:Congressman Turner’s aides asked for it first thing tomorrow morning.
