Friday is usually one of our busiest days, but today has been unusually slow. Even worse, the day has dragged on endlessly, as if time itself were moving in slow motion.
And still… I haven’t heard from Zane.
At this point, I’ve considered throwing my phone away just so I won’t have to keep checking it. I’ve thought about calling him maybe six times. Probably more. I’ve even caught myself wondering if I should just go to his apartment.
Every time the bell above the bakery door rings, I look up, hoping it’s him.
He hasn’t left my mind all day.
“Ready to go?” Tess asks as she grabs her purse. I don’t know how she did it, but somehow she convinced Leo to close the bakery early, even though he has the game to attend, so we could all go to Lisa’s place.
“Do you think it bothers her that she’s not going to the game?” I ask Tess for what feels like the fifth time as we get into the car.
“If there’s one thing I know about Lisa,” Tess replies, starting the engine, “it’s that she speaks her mind. If she wanted to go, she would’ve invited us another night instead.”
That sounds exactly like her. I nod, accepting it.
When we arrive at the building, my stomach tightens. I’ve only been in Zane’s apartment once, and that memory isn’t exactly a pleasant one.
I remember overhearing him and his dad while I was in the bathroom. His dad’s words still echo in my mind: how I wasn’t good enough, how I was bad for his career, how Zane was throwing everything away.
Given everything that’s happened since that night and the reaction to the article, I can understand where his father was coming from, even if it hurt.
“Are you ok?” Tess asks, pulling me out of my thoughts.
“Yeah… I’m good,” I reply with a small smile.
We head inside, take the elevator up, and step onto Lisa’s floor.
“Finally,” Lisa says as she opens the door, immediately pulling us both into a hug. “I’ve been dying to hang out with my own gender.”
Her playful, slightly dramatic tone makes me laugh, and just like that, I feel some of the tension ease out of me.
“Sounds like you’ve got a lot of testosterone in your life,” Tess jokes.
“I am surrounded by Grizzlies,” Lisa replies. “I need my girls.”
I smile. It really does feel good to be here with her.
“What have you been up to this week?” I ask as we settle in. The last time we were here, things were… different. We’ve texted since then, but nothing too in-depth.
“I’ve been job hunting,” Lisa says. “Went on an interview, but I kind of ruined it by telling the manager the company was too profit-driven. Not exactly what they want to hear,” she laughs. Besides that,” she continues, “I’ve been on the most amazing date of my life, and I got my nails done.” She holds up her hands, showing off pink nails decorated with small flowers.
“Tell us more about the date,” Tess says, already pouring three glasses of wine from the bottle we brought.
Lisa’s expression brightens as she takes her glass.
“Honestly, it’s been the most unexpected thing,” she says. “I thought he was just a simple guy… maybe even a bit of a player. But he turned out to be the sweetest, most romantic person.”
“What’s his name?” I ask, genuinely curious.
“Evan,” she replies with a soft smile. “I think you’ll meet him soon.”
“He sounds wonderful,” Tess says. “Do you have any pictures?”
The question seems to pause Lisa. A flicker of hesitation crosses her face, subtle but noticeable.
“Not yet,” she says after a beat, her smile returning. “But I’ll get some soon.”
