“Why did you yell at me?” she asked, ignoring my question and looking up at the ceiling. Even her side profile was cute. She had an adorable, upturned nose, and I wondered if it was naturally like that or if she pushed it up too much as a kid while sniffling.
“I was trying to coach you out of it,” I shrugged. “Didn’t think I’d make you cry like a baby,” I smirked.
I waited for her rebuff, but when one didn’t come, I felt kinda bad for adding the baby comment. She continued to stare up at the tent ceiling but gone was the lightness from a few seconds ago; in its place was the stoic business chick face she had plastered on all of wedding night. She had a knock-out smile and I wanted to see it again… I should just tell her my middle name, I thought.
“It only happens when I get scared… and my mind kind of spirals. I should have been paying more attention to my surroundings so I don’t let it happen again,” she grumbled more to herself than me.
“Let what happenagain?”
“Alright,” she sat up slowly. “Time to get back to work here, Theodore,” she said, as though the last five minutes hadn’t even happened. She quickly got to her feet and started to move forward.
“No, no you don’t. You don’t get away with it that fast,” I warned, getting up and starting to follow after her.
She spun on her heel, and I almost ran smack into her. She placed her hand in the center of my chest and pushed back.
“Please leave,” she commanded without making eye-contact.
“Why?” I asked, looking down at her.
She didn’t make a sound then- just stared at my chest, seemingly fixated on monitoring my breathing. Even though I was prepared she was going to swat my hand away, I took the chance to lift her delicate chin. I wanted to see those beautiful green eyes again.
“Scaredy cat,” I challenged her.
Her eyes flashed and her lower jaw jutted out atme.
“No,” she snapped, but she still didn’t push me away.
I raised my eyebrows. “I like it when you getfeisty.”
Her face cracked in disapproval, and she whirled away from me. “You are beyond irritating me, Theodore,” she called back.
“Fine, don’t tell me,” I said as I moved quickly to fall in step with her. For a short girl, she moved pretty damn fast. “But what can I help you with?”
I’ll admit it, I should have walked straight out- because stop with the Prince Charming complex, dude- but she looked like the kind of girl who could stand on her own two feet. Unfortunately, she also looked like the kind of girl who shut everyone else out and was leftlonely…
She was waiting for someone to take the challenge to barge into her life. She wasn’t going to make it easy, but I always loved a good challenge.
8. Ellie
After a long Sunday at the venue, I was finally driving back to my apartment to have a restful night. I needed to reset after the busy weekend. I was already planning on lighting some lavender candles, changing into my pjs, throwing some Mac & cheese in the microwave, and then pouring myself a glass of wine to enjoy while I caught up with my once-a-week guilty pleasure tv show. I craved cranking the AC and then snuggling up under my heated blanket. I was way more of a true Michigander than my parents ever were and was kind of done with summertime.
Nikki texted she wouldn’t be home tonight because she was staying over at her boyfriend’s house. We always let each other know our whereabouts; it was a good and needed system for women.
While I microwaved my dinner, I tried to stop thinking and shove the unusual day into the back of my brain. While I had to admit that it was nice of TJ to help me tear down, and that I might’ve initially judged him a bit harshly, I needed to wipe him from my brain. How embarrassing to have a panic attack in front of him. If I never saw him again, I could completely erase the fact that I ever showed weakness in front of the man. It didn’t matter anyway. He’d be gone tomorrow probably, back to whatever corner of the world he was from. That was the beauty of living and working in a vacation spot: the fudgees- what we called out-of-towners because they always came and packed up the touristy fudge shops- would all disappear as soon as the temperature dipped.
I knew my mom would’ve wanted me to give him a chance, but I didn’t need anyone; I was safer on my own. I figured the longer I stayed alone and stayed calm, the stronger and more centered I’d become… and really, it was stupid Theodore’s fault for my panic attack today anyway. He was the catalyst because he scared me… I needed to shove him away if he ever contacted me again.
As I poured my favorite wine, my doorbell rang.
I made it to the door just on time to see a delivery man walking away. Now, I know I’m a little weird, but I went back to my bedroom to grab my pepper spray just in case. It was after sunset, and you never knew who could be out there. Some spray could make a world ofdifference.
I safely grabbed up the package and immediately recognized the brand name on the box.
I quickly tore it open to reveal a stunning light green dress just like my now slightly ruined lavender one. I’d never seen this dress in green, and I loved it.
I pulled it out and held it up to me, causing a small piece of paper to flutter to the floor.
On the small, stylish index card was typed out: “Because I felt bad your old one was ruined, and this one will match your gorgeous eyes.”
