Diana looked worried, and this was what I'd wanted to avoid.
"I mean it, Diana, I'm okay. I told you, I'm not unhappy, just bored," I laughed. "I'll be fine."
“I know a great dating app,” Diana replied. “For interspecies relationships, I heard it’s great.”
I shook my head. My relationships in the past all crashed and burned, hence my being single. I didn't have much luck with men, but I didn't want to waste time on an app. If I was going to jump into the dating scene again, I'd instead meet someone the old-fashioned way and get to know them face to face.
I wasn't getting any younger and seeing Diana with Hope. It was terrifying to be a mother but also beautiful. I wasn't ready to have a child, but I wanted that to be a part of my future.
To have a child, though, I needed to be with the right man, and I didn't want to rush that.
"No," I told her. "No dating apps, but I'll take you up on that offer for a girl's trip when you get back."
Diana grinned. "Good, and Marian, you know I love you, right? You're my sister, you always have been, and you have an entire pack, well, two packs, mine and Dad's, that's your family. Whatever you need, we’re here.”
I smiled. "I know, and I love you too."
"Good," she replied. "So, are you coming over for dinner? Killian will be taking care of things while we're gone, and he's planned a dinner for us."
I laughed. “He’s giving you a sendoff as if it’s not just a vacation?”
Diana stood up while laughing. “You know, Killian. He always finds an excuse to throw a party or dinner. So, coming over?”
I nodded while she removed my oversized black sweater. “Yeah, I’ll be there. I just need to unpack and all.”
“Alright,” Diana winked and walked from the room, her shoulder dislocating as she did so. “I’ll see you later. Love you.”
"Love you," I called after her, and a few minutes later, I heard her howling outside.
I stared at her untouched glass of wine and smiled. I didn't feel as down in the dumps as when I first arrived. Although Diana was only going to be gone for a month, I would miss her and my adorable goddaughter, too.
Of course, Hope called me auntie, though I wanted nothing less.
But Diana was right. I had so many people who cared for me as much as I cared for them. Sometimes focusing on the negative made one lose sight of the good, and for a second there, I'd fallen victim to that.
I finished my wine and made my way upstairs.
I was going to unpack, take that long bath I was craving, and have dinner with my family. Finding a partner could come later, much later.