“That’s amazing. I know you’ll be happy once they’re done. What are you going to do with your office? Do you have any color schemes picked out yet?”
I shrugged. I’d thought about it a little, but things were just sochaotic right now, with losing my dad and now adjusting to living with Daisy. Colors and furniture had slid to the back of my mind.
“I’m not sure yet. I think I want neutral colors. Peach, maybe, or sage green. I don’t want to do too much, but I know I want a couch in there like Drea’s office.”
“I think that would look so pretty.” She smiled.
“I thought so, but we’ll see. So, after dinner, do you want to pick out a board game or something? I think tonight will be my night. I can feel it.”
She put down her fork and took her bottom lip between her teeth. “Oh, I’m sorry, doodle, I can’t. I have plans. I’ll probably be home a little late tonight.”
Interesting. She hadn’t mentioned these plans before now. Were they plans she made today? “Oh? Got a hot date?”
I was joking, wiggling my eyebrows and smirking playfully, but her serious expression made me think it wasn’t so funny, and my smile fell instantly. “Oh. Youdohave a date.”
What the hell was I supposed to do with that information? I knew she’d dated before; we’d talked about them. Why did everything feel so much more real and terrifying now?
“Yeah. I met her on my walk the other day. That day you had to work early? After your yoga session? Her name is Bethany.”
Right. The day she invited me on a walk. Theoneday I couldn’t go, and she picked up a woman? The universe was so cruel.
“Oh. Okay, well, have fun and be safe.” I smiled through the pain.
“Always. Oh, and you should go out, too. It’d be good for you, and I know you want to meet someone. Maybe go to Queer Quarters? Rylee might be working tonight. You could always ask Kenzie. I bet she’d give you a free drink.” She shrugged, and I didn’t respond as she took her dishes to the kitchen and headed to her room. To get ready for her hot date, I imagined.
I did like Queer Quarters, and Rylee, but I wasn’t in the mood to socialize. Daisy left for her date wearing the most adorable green dress and black tights. I hoped she had a good time, but not so good that she didn’t come back home tonight. I knew she’d want to talk about it, so I tried to prepare myself as best as I could.
I was on my laptop, scrolling through houses for rent, when Daisy texted that she was on her way home. It had only been two hours since she’d left, so I hoped the date hadn’t gone well.
That was crummy of me to think, but I did. I hated seeing her upset, and I knew how much she wanted to find her happily ever after just as much as I did, but the selfish part of my brain didn’t want her to find it with anyone but me.
But of course, I’d never tell her that, so I just sat and put on a fake smile and listened as she talked about her dates.
The last one lasted a few months, and she was so broken up when it ended, but they had relocated for work, and they ended things amicably.
Aside from my tortuous feelings for Daisy, I actually liked living together. We got to hang out a lot more, and especially since I’d told her the story of my mom, I felt like we’d grown even closer. But I knew I couldn’t stay with her forever.
Eventually, one of these first dates would actually stick, and she’d want to move them in or move in with them.
They’d get married, start a family, and live this happy life together, and I couldn’t handle being so close to all of that.
It was the smart thing to do, to start looking for a place to live. I made enough from the store, and with my savings from selling my dads house, I could find a small home to rent. I didn’t need much right now, and it was cheaper than apartments in the long run.
I jumped when I heard the front door open. I had been so consumed by my thoughts and the house had been so quiet that it startled me.
Daisy came in with a frown on her face, and all thoughts of being happy faded away. At the end of the day, no matter what I wanted, Daisy was my best friend, and I hated anything that made her face look like that, defeated and sad.
“I take it the date didn’t go well?” I asked when she came to sit next to me.
She covered her face and shook her head.
I grabbed her hands and pulled them away, waiting until she looked at me before speaking. I wanted her to look at me, to know she could tell me anything without judgment or worry.
“Want to talk about it or drown your sorrows in ice cream? I thinkwe have cookies and cream, but don’t tell Mackenzie. Remind me to never read whatever book turned her off to it.”
That made her smile, and I wanted to pat myself on the back. “Ice cream first.”
I nodded and got up to get the ice cream and two spoons. No use wasting a bowl when there wouldn’t be any ice cream left.
