I sigh a little as she lets go. “I mean, yeah, it’s good. It’s just that I’m not super attracted to him. I mean, objectively, he’s a cute guy but I’ve never really looked at himthatway.”
“Well, attraction can be an intellectual thing for some people. Maybe you’re one of them and after your date, you’ll have so much fun that the attraction will just grow,” she offers.
“That’s what I’ve been telling myself.” I smile. “It’s time for me to really put myself out there before my mom makes the decision for me and just starts sending eligible bachelors to wait on our doorstep.”
“Wait, that was an option?” Bianca asks, suddenly intrigued. “We could have been getting hot guys on demand over here?”
“I never said that they would be hot, just eligible.”
“True.” Bianca has her phone out and is pulling up her social media apps. “What’s his name again?”
I groan but give her his name anyway. I should have known I wouldn’t escape without a thorough dissection of all things Tyler Crosson.
“Found him,” she exclaims while scrolling through his feed of pictures. “Some selfies, pictures of him with friends, not too many with random girls. He’s definitely cute. Congrats, Violet, it looks like you might have bagged a good one.”
“Let me see.” Hollie reaches over and plucks the phone from Bianca’s hand so that she can scroll through herself. “Oh yeah, he’s totally cute in that normal-college-guy type of way and there aren’t a ton of pictures of him getting drunk at frat parties. I approve,” she says with a smile.
“Gee thanks, guys, I’ve just been sitting here all afternoon, on pins and needles, hoping that the two of you would approve of my date.”
“Hey, the friend stamp of approval is important,” Bianca protests. “Besides, this is just the tentative approval. We have to meet him before he gets a full endorsement.”
I grab the bottle on the counter and pour myself a glass of wine. By the looks of how my bread turned out, I deserve it. “Well, I think we have a few steps between him asking me out and introducing him to my friends.”
“That’s true. So, when is this big date?”
“Who knows.” I sigh, the weight of responsibility beginning to level on me. “I’ve got to start looking for a part-time job so I can actually afford to eat. That’s certainly going to limit my dating availability.”
“I know you don’t want to hear this,” Bianca says gently, “but I’m sure your parents would give you money if you asked.”
I let out a groan; I know that she’s right, it’s not like they can’t afford it. “You know that taking money from my parents always comes with strings attached. It’s bad enough that I’m having to rely on them for tuition. I think it’s just best for me to get a job and do this on my own.”
“Well, let us know if you need anything. Now that I’m a personal assistant to one of the most influential CEOs in Seattle, I have a feeling that my reference might hold a little more weight than when I was a lowly college student.” I knew Hollie would wholeheartedly support me in my quest for financial independence. It’s always been very important for her to have the ability to take care of herself as well as her little sister that still lives with her deadbeat mom.
“Of course, Vi. Whatever you need. If this is important to you, then it’s important to me too, you know that.” Bianca rounds the kitchen and pulls me in for one of her bear hugs. I hug her back with all my strength, hoping that she can feel how grateful I am for her constant support. “Oh! Not to change the subject from Violet’s awesome news but do you guys think you can come to brunch with Dad and me this weekend?”
My head jerks up and my heart starts beating a staccato rhythm in my chest, forcing me try to play it cool. “He just took us to brunch last weekend to celebrate Hollie’s new job. Are you sure he wants to see us again already? Doesn’t he want to spend some time with you alone?”
“Please, you know he loves the two of you just like you’re his own daughters.”Ouch.I try not to wince at the sting of that one but it’s a fitting reminder of where I stand and why I agreed to go out with Tyler in the first place. “Plus, we wouldn’t be alone anyway. My mom is going to be in town. She’s finally single and thinking about moving to Seattle to be closer to me. If you two come to brunch with us, it won’t be as easy for him to just bail when he sees her.”
“Wait, you’re inviting her to brunch and not telling him?” Hollie asks.
“You know if I tell him she’s coming there’s no way he’ll go. He’s always been cordial with her but never spends any real time with her unless he has to. He wouldn’t have even invited her to our graduation party if I hadn’t insisted. It’s the first time she’s been single in forever and if she moves up here... maybe they can get to know each other again and they’ll realize how perfect they are for each other.”
My heart stutters in my chest. She wants her parents to get back together? Is that something he wants? I’ve only met Amanda Moreno a few times over the years but she honestly doesn’t seem like someone who would be “perfect” for him. I know I should say something instead of just standing here in the middle of the kitchen like an idiot but all I can manage is to bring my hand up and absentmindedly stroke the small book pendent that’s resting against my chest.
Hollie, my hero, saves me from having to add anything intelligent to this conversation. “B, didn’t your parents get divorced when you were like two? You are way too old to be parent trapping them.”
“It’s not parent trapping if we’re all going to be there. I just want them to spend a little time together. Mom always has the worst taste in men, and I haven’t seen Dad go on a date in ages. I think he may have given up.” She frowns like the thought makes her truly sad and, not for the first time, I envy the father-daughter bond the two of them share. “There’s nothing wrong with giving the two people I love most in the world just a little nudge toward each other.”
“He might date and just not tell you about it. I’m sure he doesn’t share every hookup with you,” Hollie interjects, and I’m pretty sure both Bianca and I turn a little green at that thought.
“Gross, Hollie, I don’t need to think about my dad’s one-night stands. And if there was anyone significant, he definitely would have introduced her to me. This is all beside the point, I just need the two of you to go to brunch with us on Sunday. Pleeease.” She gives us her best puppy-dog face, and even though the thought of being in the middle of a romantic setup for Dante makes my stomach turn, I know I can’t deny Bianca. She would do it for me if I asked her. Besides, this is just the kind of thing I need to see to help me move on. If Dante and Amanda hit it off, maybe seeing that will finally break the hold he has on me.
“Fine, I’ll go. But you need to admit I’m the best friend you’ll ever have,” I say.
“Same,” Hollie pipes in.
“You both are the best friends a girl could ask for; I would be nothing without you. You’re the best.” She makes her way around the kitchen, giving each of us a hug, and I desperately try to change the subject.