My email opens up to Weston’s article and I can’t help reading through it again. His words capture me. As if we attach a string from them to my heart - a marionette. As if I’ve given control of each moment to the strings holding me in place.
If only I was a good little marionette, doing as my strings bid. Dancing and being excited about falling in love with someone.Him.
My stomach grumbles, reminding me I haven’t eaten today, only coffee.
Pulling up a food delivery app on my phone, I order a kale salad from a deli down the road. My phone dings with an email thanking me for ordering and letting me know to expect food in fifteen to twenty minutes.
I grab my laptop again, pulling up another email, and start going over another article. This one from our advice columnist, Hannah. Someone has written a Letter to Hannah about how to handle new relationships and how to overcome the fear of starting something new with the possibility of heartache.
Not knowing any better, I’d assume that my team is trying to speak to me through their articles. Sure as hell feels like it.
Shutting my laptop, I get up to grab a drink. It’s wine o’clock somewhere, right? Wine and salad, perfect lunch menu.
A soft knock at the door distracts me. The delivery guy stands holding my lunch and I tip him before he turns to leave.
I take a seat at the kitchen counter, pulling open my lunch entree. Kale is not my favorite thing, but this body requires healthy food to look this good all the time.
Finishing up my lunch and immersing myself in work, I get a couple of suitable hours uninterrupted.
The lockon the door clicks open and Addison walks through.
“Honey, I’m home,” she singsongs, laughing.
“In here, Adds.” Setting down my laptop, I stand up and am immediately pulled into a hug.
“How are you doing today, Wyn?”
“Honestly, I’m confused. My heart and my brain are at odds. One saying go all in, while the other warns it's only a matter of time before it all falls apart.” I sigh. “All I know is that I really appreciate everything you’ve done for me. Putting your life and relationship with Reece on hold for me. To make sure I’m okay.”
The corners of her lips tip up. “Babes, I don’t get called the best friend for nothing. Besides, I know you’d do the same damn thing for me if I was in your shoes.”
“I would… You know that. And… I’m making you dinner tonight.
A. To celebrate our apartment being ready to move back in.
B. I could not handle being in that hotel a second longer.”
She winces. “Was it really that bad?”
“Did you not hear the couple going at it like every single night you were there? I've endured their porn-like screams for three weeks,” I say exasperated.
Shrugging, she giggles. “I guess I’m a heavy sleeper. Kinda bummed out I missed it though. You know how much I love making fun of people and their sex noises.”
“Ha, well you’re a nutcase.”
She sticks out her champagne blush manicured finger, pointing at me. “You laugh.”
“Touché .”
“So, tell me about these dinner plans because I’m freaking starving right now.”
“Hey, Adds… one last thing.” My voice gets quiet, looking over at her.
“No.” She shakes her head, warning me.
The question tumbles from my lips before I can stop it. She purses her lips, looking on, waiting for me to speak.
“How is he?”