She gives me a quick smile before shaking her head. “Not today.”
“Okay.”
We stay quiet for a long time, just staring at the ice and listening as the rink fills up with more hockey fans.
“I’m not anti-love or anything, you know. Quite the opposite. I can’t wait for my person. I know my soulmate is out there. And I also know he’s going to sweep me off my feet once he finally shows up. I just want to make sure I’m ready for him, and I’m done wasting time with assholes.” Hope flickers in Via’s eyes as she speaks.
I wonder what it’s like to blindly believe in love like that. I admire the pure credence in Via’s voice as she talks about her soulmate. I don’t think I’ve ever believed in that. She’s the opposite of me when it comes to romance. She dreams of marriage and having kids one day. I can never see myself doing either. I have too many trust issues to settle down with someone, and there is no way in hell I’d ever bring kids into this world with my childhood trauma. The idea of being with one person for life seems absurd. Marriage feels like a dumpster fire filled with nothing but disappointment. Why sign up for something that fails more than half the time? I don’t get it. But that’s just me.
“I know you’re not, and I know you’re going to find him.”
Via smiles big at that. “Yeah. I wish mine would show up in the form of a sexy hockey player. Lucky bitch.”
Not this again. “Will you please stop?”
“It’s just so unfair. I wish I had a brother who had hot, rich friends. You didn’t even have to go through the dating apps. They’re the worst.”
I roll my eyes at her. “Aaron has nothing to do with this. I met Dominik first.”
“You did? When?” Via twists her body around to face me.
Oh, lord. I don’t want to get into this with her right now.
“Speaking of brothers, mine should have been here by now.” Glancing around, I pretend to look for Aaron.
“Oh, yeah? Does he even enjoy social outings with that carrot jammed so far up his ass?”
I burst out laughing because she’s not wrong. I love Aaron to death, but he’s been a little unbearable lately. “You can ask him yourself when he gets here.”
“Ugh, no thanks. I can’t stand the guy. I’m sorry. I know he’s your brother and all.”
“Yeah. Why is that exactly?” I lightly nudge her shoulder, hoping for a smile, but she only appears more irritated.
Via places her drink into the cup holder and lets out a labored sigh. “The guy is a douche. He was so rude and judgmental when he was at the office. Did you notice he wiped his hand after he shook mine?”
“Yeah, I remember. What happened that day anyway?”
She waves her hand, dismissing me. “It doesn’t matter.”
“It matters. Listen, Aaron is a control freak. Maybe he was just having a bad day. Not to say whatever he did or didn’t do was okay, butifhe shows up, just try to ignore the past. Enjoy the game. You’re here with me. And if he starts being an ass, I have no problem calling him out for it.”
“Yeah, but is he going to judge me for drinking beer out of a bottle or for wearing converse to a hockey game?”
“Hello, I’m doing it too. Besides, who gives a shit what he thinks?”
“Don’t you?” She arches her brow.
“No, because I know Aaron has bigger problems to worry about than what I drink. Besides, he is a nice guy. Deep down. You’ll warm up to him, I promise.”
Via crosses her arms, scoffing and looking into the distance. “I don’t want to.”
“That’s fine. Just don’t let it affect our friendship.”
Via gasps, looking completely offended. “Oh my god, Zoe…I would never. As long as you don’t hate me for trash-talking him from time to time.”
When I smile, it feels genuine. Not forced at all. “In one ear and out the other, promise. Vent away.”
She pulls me in and kisses my temple. I wish I had the courage to tell her what our friendship means to me and how welcome she’s made me feel in the short time I’ve been here. How happy she’s made my heart. I want to tell her that I look forward to coming to work because I know she’ll be there. That I enjoy all our conversations, even the emotional ones I used to avoid. Every time I’m with her, I feel like a part of me is healing.
