Me
Probably as excited as a kid who tried cake for the first time.
Grant
Wow, putting me up on a pedestal. I'd better be extra sweet, or you’ll be thoroughly let down.
Me
I have every faith in you that you’ll pull it off. Even though I'm probably the most sweet out of the two of us.
Grant
We’ll have to see about that.
He added a winky face emoji to his last text. Grant never ceased to make me smile, even when I’d been overthinking the dream and moving forward with him once he returned. But talking to him always brought up my mood.
Me
You have to plan the next date since I technically planned the video chat pizza date, so make it count.
Grant
I already have a plan in mind, and you are going to be amazed.
Me
Can’t wait. I have to work until ten tonight. Is it okay to still call when I get home, or will you already be in bed?
Grant
Either way, I’d like to hear your voice before I fall asleep.
I always told myself I didn’t like theniceguys, but a man like Grant is exactly who I needed.
Me
Good! I’ll call you when I get home.
When I arrived at work, it was slow. I wasn’t needed on the registers, so I did some organizing around the store.
“Hey, chica. How are you doing?” My coworker, Mikey, asked from behind me as I stocked books.
“You know, living the American dream,” I said with a hint of sarcasm.
He tilted his head with a worried expression. “That good, huh?”
I turned to face him. “I had a dream last night about having a happy family with an ex, and now my mind is playing tricks on me about where I stand with Grant.”
Mikey’s eyes widened. “Oof, that is bad. How are things going with Grant?” He grabbed some books to help stock.
A smile spread across my face. “We text regularly and have been talking on the phone every night. He comes back this week and is already planning for the next date.” I sighed. “I’m having doubts, though. Maybe I’ll never be over what happened with my exes. It’s not fair to Grant, because he’s such a genuine guy and I don’t want to string him along when I’m all over the place.”
Mikey walked over to me, wrapping his arms around my shoulders. “First, grief and healing are not linear. You must grieve the life you thought you’d have in previous relationships while also knowing how much more you’re worth than what they were ever capable of giving you. Take it one day at a time. Has he been pressuring you to move more quickly, or where’s his head at?”
“We haven’t really discussed it.” I reorganized a few books on the shelves as the owner passed by. “He did tell me he hasn’t dated anyone in eight years, which is hard to believe because he’s so personable andgorgeous.”
Mikey's eyebrows raised. “Eight years!” he exclaimed.
