Page 25 of The Funnel to You

“I should probably head out. I’m meeting with Luca tomorrow to help him deliver some new pieces to my parents. They wanted to upgrade some things in their house so I need to get the old table and chairs out and get the ones Luca made. Thanks for letting me hang out a bit tonight.” We make our way toward the door, he grabs his keys and I pull my cardigan a little closer. I always get a little cold towards bedtime.

“Sounds good. I’d love to see a picture of it all set up if you think of it.”

“If you want a picture, I can send you a picture,” he smiles at me as he opens the door. He leans on the doorframe as I do the same to the other side.

“Thanks, Matt. Tonight was nice.” I don’t want it to end. I have to force myself not to say that last part out loud. Getting to know Matt outside of work conversations has been so good.

“I enjoyed it too,” and there’s the awkward moment. We both just stand there, alternating between looking at our feet and each other. Like we are both waiting for the other to do something. What? I don’t know.

“Have fun with Ashley tomorrow. Goodnight Sasha.”

“Goodnight Matt. Drive safe.” And then he was gone. And I find myself thinking about why I wish he would have given me a kiss or even a hug goodnight. Where did that come from?

Chapter Fifteen

Sasha

Salted Caramel cold foam cold brew

Social post: Back to school shopping for someone else is a whole new experience. Look at how cute these cups are that we found today!! #sashaloveslipstick #backtoschoolshopping #coloradothings #augustishere #cups

Image Description: Selfie of me and Ashley holding up our new travel coffee mugs covered in lipstick swatches.

It feels like just a few moments later and then I’m going shopping with Ashley to get things that she needs for back to school. She’s staying at home again this year, but still needs a few things for the new semester, and she didn’t want to bother her mom or her other friends to go out today. This is our last week to meet with our regular schedule, so I’m happy to go with her for this. And I also get to take a look at the new planners and pens for the season too. And no, I don’t have an office supply problem.

Three stores and four hours later, we are both completely beat and my car is at capacity with bags.

“Hey, I hit my step goal for the day.” Ashley tells me as we get back in the car and I can’t help but laugh at her.

“I think I hit my goal by the time we finished at the first store. My feet are killing me.” I get my bag settled in my car and put my phone in the stand then adjust my sunglasses. In Colorado, sunglasses are a must. It’s so bright here all the time. Not complaining though. “What do you say we find some dinner then head back to your house to sort through everything? Any requests?”

She shakes her head then scrolls in her phone for a minute, “How do you feel about sushi? There’s that Poke place in Johnstown we can go to. It’s a bit of a drive, but that sounds really good right now.”

“Perfect! And then we can get Boba too!”

We drive in comfortable silence for a bit before Ashley starts the conversation up again. She’s been fidgeting in the seat next to me for the last ten minutes, playing on her phone, and moving things around in her purse. I could tell she wanted to bring something up, but didn’t want to push her. I’ve had enough of those uncomfortable conversations before that I don’t want to put her in that position.

“So, do you like my brother?” I can feel her eyes on me as I focus on the road and take a breath before responding.

“Um, where is that coming from?” I am genuinely confused because who knows where this is going. I haven’t been flirting with him, have I? I mean, we are together several hours every week, and we text almost daily. He’s starting to open up to me a little more and I am getting to know Matt, not just him as the funnel guy, but him as a person too.

“I don’t know. You guys just seem to fit really well together. He’s comfortable around you. I’m going to be busy with school soon, and I like seeing you guys together. Just didn’t know if you see it going somewhere or if you are curious about it going somewhere…” She lets her thoughts drift off and then waits for my response. I sit in the silence for a minute, thinking it over.

“Honestly, I don’t know, babe. I do enjoy spending time with him. If he decides to ask me out, I will probably say ‘yes.’ Does that answer your question?” I really hope that answers her question. Because I don’t want to tell her that ‘yes, I wish your brother would have kissed me last night when he dropped me off at home and we spent twenty minutes talking about life and hiking and my excitement over fall coffee drinks coming back before he left.’ I totally wanted him to. And I thought he was going to for a moment, but then he just smiled at me and told me to sleep well and have fun with Ashley today. Moment: gone.

“Yeah, I guess so. He gets so consumed with his projects sometimes that he forgets to look at the actual people around him. I’m hoping that with me in school again, he will be able to see you a bit more outside of work projects and see if it’s something he wants to pursue. He hasn’t had a girlfriend in a while, and from what you’ve told me, you haven’t had anyone for a hot minute either.”

“Let’s not start playing matchmaker please.” I laugh at her a little bit. “If it happens, great, if not, that’s okay too. I like where we are and the friendship we have been able to grow along the way.”

“I won’t push him either way. But I make no promises aside from that.” She winks at me and then turns on the radio so we can jam out to Taylor Swift all the way to dinner.

“You didn’t pick this restaurant because Ulta happens to also be in this plaza, did you?” I ask her when we park in front of the strip mall. I had forgotten that there was one here along with a host of other places we could do some shopping and walking around later if we wanted to.

“Maybe…” She smirks at me. “And Matt may have given me a coupon that expires tomorrow for us to go check out what is currently drawing attention at this location.” She waves the coupon at me.

“Is that a thirty% off full purchase coupon? How on earth did he get that?” I almost scream at her. I was not prepared for that level of potential spending to come out of her purse right now.

“I don’t question him anymore. I just take his gifts and smile and remind him that he’s my favorite. Now can we please go get food before we go play with the makeup? I need fuel before we tackle that craziness.” She gets out of the car and starts to head inside. I shake my head and follow her. Some good spicy tuna sounds just about perfect right now.

---