His answer is short and sweet. I sigh and put my head back on my pillow. I need to talk to Sarah. She always knows what to say. I look at the clock and see it’s way too early to go to sleep. I crawl under my blanket, turn on the television, and start flicking through the channels aimlessly, not really looking at what’s on. Finally, I settle on some documentary about shipwrecks—it’s mind-numbing and just what I need to keep my thoughts away from Aiden O’Connell.
“Hey, Jeni, you in there?” Sarah asks as she slightly opens my door.
“You came up for air, did you?” I mumble instantly regretting my outburst.
She opens the door fully only to see me curled up. “Okay, what’s wrong?”
I shake my head in denial. “Nothing, I’m okay,” I lie.
“Spill it, sister!” She looks at me like I’ve said the stupidest thing ever. The door closes behind her, and she walks to the edge of my bed, sitting down.
My back rests against the headboard. “I’m not going out Friday night.”
“Oh, did he cancel?”
I cross my arms over my chest. “No. But he’s taking me out only because he feels guilty for crashing into me and not because he actually likes me.”
“Did he say that to you?” She looks at me like she can tell where my head is at—that I’m spiraling.
I roll my eyes. “He didn’t have to. He’s gorgeous. He’s in finance. He drives an expensive car. How am I supposed to believe he’s interested in me?”
Sarah lets out a small giggle, and I glare at her as she composes herself. “You have way too much time on your hands, and you think too much. You’re letting that previous asshole get in your head…” She taps the top of my head. “Have you ever thought that maybe Aiden does want to go out with you? You’re gorgeous, funny, and most of the time an intelligent woman, except for right now.” I roll my eyes at her. “Maybe he sees the good things in you, and that’s why he wants to take you out, not because he feels guilty. He’s already sent you flowers and a note. If this is all out of guilt, why would he take you out to dinner as well? It doesn’t make any sense. If wallowing in self-pity were a sport, you would be an Olympic champion. My suggestion is to cut it out. And anyway, so what if he’s only doing it out of guilt? It’s a free meal, and you’ll get to spend time with a gorgeous man… what’s so bad about that?” I scrunch my face. “You need to go out with him. If it doesn’t lead to anything, then you’ve lost nothing, but if you never try, then you could’ve lost the love of your life… you never know… take a chance. Jeni, be brave and boldly go where you haven’t gone before.” She puts her hand up displaying the Vulcan sign. “Live, love, and prosper.” She slightly changes the wording of the popular Star Trek phrase.
I laugh and mimic the hand gesture back to her.
“You good?” she asks, slightly more seriously this time.
I nod. Somehow she always makes me feel better. Sarah was with me through all the chaos of Jason. She knows the devastation he created and what state he’s left my mind in. The lack of self-esteem, the bastard took it all from me. She’s been my rock helping to build me back into a functioning individual. She’s always there and has been my biggest champion. Now this chance has come around, and I know she’s going to help me whenever I need straightening out. Sarah hugs me, making me feel calmer about it all as we fall onto the bed in a fit of laughter. She’s exactly what I needed right now.
What are best friends for?
When it’s time to leave work the following day, I head down to the repair shop to pick up my car and find Bob cleaning my windshield. “Can I drive her home tonight?” I ask, moving up and down on my toes in excitement.
“Yep, paint’s all dry. You can take her whenever you’re ready.”
I wrap my arms around Bob, hugging him tightly. “Okay, get out of here already.” He laughs as he lets me go and holds out my keys.
“Yes! No more Ubers.” We both laugh as Bob presses the button to the roller door for me to exit.
Casually and cautiously, I drive home. The last thing I want is my car back in the repair shop again, that’s for sure.
Chris’ car sits on the side of the street when I arrive home. “Does he ever work?” I mutter to myself while I head inside. But honestly, it doesn’t bother me. As long as Sarah is happy, I’m happy.