I hear his sarcasm loud and clear.
Ian, let’s not make this more difficult than it needs to be.
Are you fucking serious right now?
I don’t think he ever cursed in a text. Actually, he seldom curses, so that’s on me as well, proving my point that I am not good for his stability.
Ian will get over me. He had a life before me. He will have one after me as well. The thought scythes my life essence, the heartstrings leveling to the ground in a line of gravestones.
I had to fall in love with my one-night stand. There’s no one else to blame but me.
A knock on my window startles me, and I prick my eye with the mascara. I cry out—a high-pitched tone echoing with despair.
My best friend yanks the door open, letting out a horrified shriek. “Oh shit, I didn’t want to scare you.”
“It’s okay.” My voice sounds like I am—withered.
“Oh, babe,” she says sympathetically.
I cry in my hands. “Why is this so damn hard? We have barely been together.”
“You can’t quantify feelings.”
She stays with me until I compose myself, taking over the makeup.
“Tell me something to take my mind off Ian.”
She seeks my eyes. “Are wedding plans all right?”
I nod, happy for my best friend.
“Who’s going to be your plus one now?”
I expel a long breath. “It’s still several months away.”
She pins me with a hard look. “Knowing your dating history, that’s not a good example.”
We burst into laughter, and I ruin my mascara again. Leave it to my bestie to make the best out of my situation.
“I’m sure if your dad knew what his words caused, he would have reconsidered.”
I shrug. “I think he just wanted to remind me why I stayed away from athletes to begin with.”
We slip through the back door of the store, and Kat says, “Listen, bestie, who we fall in love with, we have little choice. Once we fall, all we can hope is that the other won’t smash us, but provide a safety net.”
“Will that be your vows?”
She slaps my arm playfully. “I come up with this stuff on the fly.”
“Okay, oh wise one.”
Smiling at my unapologetic best friend, I switch back to business mode.
Life goes on, not caring for your broken heart.
Throughout the day, it becomes clearer that I have the best team. They managed everything in my absence, making me think of the biggest dream I have been afraid to even write down.
I lock myself in the office, finalizing the plans for our second location. If I can focus all my energy, I will be successful.
