Page 66 of February

“Well, we probably don’t need it for long, anyway, so I say go for it.”

Monica sobered and asked, “Why is it complicated between you two if it’s over?”

Bridgette hadn’t been expecting that question, so she sighed and leaned back in her chair.

“Honestly, I’ve been kind of lost since the breakup. I started going after things I didn’t really want or need, hoping they would help me get over her.”

“Things you didn’t want?”

“Casual sex, one-night stands, or at least, hot make-out sessions in bars.”

“I see.”

Bridgette laughed and said, “You do, do you?”

“Ha-ha,” Monica deadpanned.

“I didn’t, by the way.”

“Didn’t what?”

“Have any of those things. I kept chickening out, which was probably a good thing. One day recently, though, I was pissed about the business being sold off, and I realized I wanted closure, so I called her.”

“Oh, big mistake.” Monica leaned in.

“You know, I thought so at first, but I actually think it was what I needed.”

“How so?”

“Toya didn’t want a relationship. It wasn’t about me. I guesspartof itwasbecause I did – Idowant a relationship. I wasgetting more serious than she was ready for, so it ended, but on the call, she said that if I could be not as serious and it could just be fun, she missed me.”

“What a bitch,” Monica replied.

Bridgette laughed a little and shared, “We hooked up.”

Monica’s face fell, and she said, “Oh?”

“It happened twice, but the whole time, I wasn’t thinking that I wanted more from her again.”

“That’s good, right? She didn’t want a relationship, anyway.”

“And I didn’t want sex from her, either.”

“That bad?”

“No, it was good with us. I mean, Ithoughtit was, but in our time apart, I thought about that and how it worked for me, but it wasn’t really what Iwanted. I know that now, though, so I ended that part of our relationship, too.”

“So, that’s it? You’re over her?”

“I think I have been for a while. I just didn’t realize it. Toya is not a bad person. She’s just young and doesn’t want to settle down, but Ido. I want real love, you know? Someone to come home to at the end of the day, wake up next to, and yes, have amazing sex with.”

Monica smiled but didn’t say anything.

“I just watched my best friend meet her girlfriend, and I don’t know what’s in store for them, but it seems so real. Kyle moved to New Orleans because she likes it here, but it didn’t hurt that Melinda lives here, too. They spend practically every night together, and even when I’ve been in a relationship, I haven’t wanted to spend all of my time with my girlfriend. I’m jealous. I want that.”

“That sounds nice, Bridge.”

“Toya said hello. We talked for two minutes before she left, and I sat at the table alone, finishingyourbreakfast.”

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