Instead of taking his usual position, laying out against the sofa’s back, he crawls into my lap and rolls into a white loaf of fur.
It’s decided for me. Tonight isn’t for an internship committee that will undoubtedly expect more from me than everyone else they’re interviewing.
Tonight is for me, Ghost, and the man who thinks I’m unbelievable.
When the sink’s faucet cuts off, I reach for the remote control and project my voice to ask, “What do you want to watch tonight?”
fifteen
ROSIE
LIL <3
Hi! As per everyone’s schedules, Grant and I planned for a fun night together at Up Down, Up Down Board Game Café on Friday at 7pm. I already made the reservation, so please let me know if you can’t go. Other than that, be there.
be there or…?
LIL <3
?
LIL’S BOY TOY (GRANT)
The saying goes “be there or be square” baby
LIL <3
Oh.
There are no other options. Just be there.
oh! alright then!
LIL <3
:)
Unsurprisingly,Liliana and Grant are at the board game café before us, even when Locke and I arrive at six fifty-five p.m..
After Lil texted the impromptu group chat with two phone numbers I didn’t recognize, I messaged her on the side. Asking who else is coming, what do I wear, and how am I supposed to navigate a night of Locke with everyone else?
It only dawned on me then that Locke and I, up until this moment, have only really existed together in the space of our apartment. We’ve only been seen outside together by people who don’t truly know us—never with our friends.
Liliana assured me it would be the same as any other hang out. The same as when Grant occasionally third wheels on days with us, or even comparable to a night out with her and I.
She doesn’t understand the situation at hand. She can’t; I haven’t told her what Locke said to me yet.
Things between the two of us haven’t been exceedingly different since that night. He might be sitting a little further from me on the couch, if I was really looking into it. And he might avoid my eye contact more than I’d like, if I was keeping track.
For the most part, though, everything is the same. Tonight might be the same, too, like Liliana said.
When we reach the table where my best friend and her boyfriend are tucked away, Grant stands up, cardigan swaying while he reaches to hug Locke.
They greet each other with fist bumps and claps on the back while Liliana gives me a hug, her pink cable knit dress pressing against the thin cotton of my black long sleeve.
“It feels like it’s been forever.” I mumble into her wavy brown hair.
“I know.” She squeezes me closer, and we only part when the scratches of wood legs on tiled floor overtake our mumbled “I miss you”s.
