Page 99 of Heart of Gold

“Well, we’ll see. Did Max say he would call you, or…?”

“I don’t know. I’m such an idiot.”

I tell her everything. I tell her about the phone call to Max’s busted phone, the missed emails, the visit from his stepdad. How I threw my phone into the lake out of frustration and got a new number. I told her about the money and how I didn’t tell Max about his stepdad because I couldn’t figure out how.

“I would’ve thrown that stepdad so fast under the bus,” Tara says, crossing her arms and leaning back. “Did you at least get some orgasms?”

The tears dry up as I think about our last night. I hold up three fingers, one for each flesh-shredding orgasm I received.

“Oooh.” Tara rubs her hands together like she’s making a campfire. “Tell me more.”

“I came over and literally undressed myself and undressed him, and it happened. A lot.”

Tara pats my leg. “Good for you, friend. I can’t remember the last time I got laid. I’m worried a bat will fly out from down there if I ever tried.”

“It had been ten years for me.”

“Damn, you didn’t have like a random hookup here and there?” The realization seeps into her expression. “Hold up, Max is the only guy you’ve ever slept with?”

“Yep,” I say.

“You never slept with Burke? What a shame. I would’ve taken him for a test drive.”

“What about Owen?”

Tara’s smile disappears. “Who knows with Owen. I don’t know how else to throw myself at that man. Do you think I have to show up in a dog suit or something? Ask for a canine exam?” When Tara moved to town, she accidentally ran into Owen, Goldheart’s resident veterinarian at the Goldheart Neighborhood Market one Christmas Eve. They both realized they were going to have a quiet Christmas alone, so they decided to join forces and had a great time. They had been best friends ever since, and kept up the Christmas tradition this past holiday as well. Owen kept to himself prior to meeting Tara, and we’ve noticed him being more open and social, all because of her.

There was a point Tara thought it would turn romantic, and then it never did.

Tara always grimaces anytime someone teases her about Owen, but I always know there’s a tiny flame of hope within her that one day Owen will come to his senses.

“Owen is a lost cause. He just loves the dogs, and not much else.”

“I’m sorry. You and I could be platonic life partners.”

“I like that idea,” Tara says. “Although I have a good feeling about Max.”

“I hope so,” I say. Turning my phone over, I see nothing on the screen but a text from Shiloh, asking if I’m okay.

“I can bring over a bottle of wine tonight. Call in the calvary.”

The calvary being Izzie, the town newspaper’s editor, and Whitney. Annie and Shiloh, maybe, even though neither of them will drink.

“Sure,” I say. “That would be nice.”

“I can bring some sparkling cider for Olive.”

“She would love that,” I say. My heart feels lighter, more hopeful. Why not wish that he will come back? Our time together was so special. Maybe Miriam isn’t a heinous bitch monster? All I can do is hope and trust that everything will work out for the better.

Olive and I were just fine until he came back. We’ll just be as fine after.

“You will be okay. Whatever happens.” It’s like Tara read my mind.

“Thank you for being a good friend,” I say.

“Anytime.”

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