I drop my purse on the kitchen counter and kick off my flats, then grab the half drank bottle of wine from the fridge. I unscrew the lid and take a few big gulps.
“I’m so sorry, Lily,” she says.
“It’s okay. I should know better by now.”
“That’s not true. The right person will come along, just give it time.”
“And how much time should I give it before I accept the fact that eventually I’m going to be a spinster somewhere in the boonies with my farm animals?”
“I don’t know, Lil. You know I want what’s best for you, and if that’s being by yourself, then so be it. But I don’t think you should ever give up hope. Even if it’s just a little sliver of it.”
“Fine,” I say, rolling my eyes.
“So, what are you going to do now?” she asks.
“We are supposed to go on a nature hike together tomorrow. Should I cancel?”
“No, don’t do that. Just tell him how you’re feeling and if he takes it the wrong way, then he definitely wasn’t meant for you in any form of a relationship.”
“Okay, I’ll do that. Thanks, Layla. Sorry about waking you up.”
“You’re fine. I would rather you wake me up than play the situation out in your head over and over again.”
“Which is exactly what I would have done. You’re the best sister.”
“Call me after and let me know how things went.”
“I will. Love you.”
“Love you, too.”
I drink the last of the wine and toss the bottle in the trash as I make my way to my room.
I groan as I flop down face first onto my bed.
It’s going to be okay,I tell myself. We can still be friends. He really is a nice guy.
Chapter Seven
Lily
“So,isthisyournew boyfriend?” Chris asks me.
“No, not my boyfriend. Hopefully a friend.”
“Why do you say hopefully? I thought this was a date?”
Chris takes his seat behind the counter. He’s been a volunteer at the nature center for years, but recently he got hired on and pretty much runs the place now.
“After last night’s date, he kissed me and well..” I curl my hands together at my stomach.
“And well, what?”
“There was no spark.”
Chris laughs. I lean over the counter and swat at him as he dodges my hand.
“I’m serious, Chris. Didn’t you have a spark with Sarah?”