Page 24 of The ABCs of You & Me

I manage to sleep through brunch with friends, but Maya isn’t going to let me stay at home in my pajamas all day, which is why I’m now standing outside of a home goods store waiting for her.

“It would be so much more acceptable if you’d bailed on brunch because you were wrapped around a tattooed ginger giant,” she yells from an inappropriate distance.

I tip my head back and take a deep breath.I love her, I remind myself. She opened her home for me when Gregory kicked me out. She’s a good friend. She wants only good things for me.

She greets me with one of her bone-crushing hugs. “You were missed,” she huffs. “Yas could have used your smile. I can tell she’s nervous about Miguel’s recovery.”

Yasmine has been there for me since I got lost on campus my first week of university and guilt gnaws at me. Her fiancé had a heart transplant two weeks ago, and I haven’t seen her yet. “I’ll call her later to see when a good time to stop by will be. What are we looking for again?”

“New bedroom lamps. ”

“What’s wrong with the ones you have?” I’d been with her a year ago when she had moved into her new place and had raved about the vintage lamps she’d found for her side tables.

“Davis happened.”

“Davis?”

“Hinge date. He was…” She looks at me and grins. “Acrobatic.”

“Gotcha.” I nod in understanding. “So are we looking for Davis-proof replacements or…”

“What a fun indirect way of asking me if I’ll be sleeping with him again.” Maya laughs but doesn’t elaborate, so I drop it.

“So did the alumni people buy your fakeship?” Maya asks while we browse a row of new lamps made to look old but with a price tag of an original Van Gogh.

“We deserved an Oscar for our performance. I was so nervous, but I really had no reason to be. Gregory spent most of the night glaring at him.”

“Oh, we love a jealous ex!” She smirks while flipping over the tag of a pair of blue and gold lamps. “What do you think of these?”

I walk over to examine them closer. “I think they will break even faster than the other ones.”

“Ugh, you’re right, but all the durable lamps are repulsive,” she insists.

“I mean, you could find someone who’s less… what did you say? Acrobatic? Or forego bedroom sex altogether to avoid the risk of breaking another lamp.”

“I’d rather break another lamp.” She flips the tag over again and sighs. “I think I have to get these.”

“Why don’t you think about it for a day, and if you still want them after a few hours, come back tomorrow?”

“Sophie, you know the rules at this place. If you don’t buy it now, it’s… poof, zap, dab.”

“Dab?”

“Gone!” She throws her hands out dramatically.

By the time we walk out, Maya is carrying a bag with two new lamps and a basket she claims she has to have to keep her throws in.

“So date number two tomorrow?” Maya asks after she slides into the passenger seat.

I glare over at her. “Your car is fine, isn’t it? You wanted a ride home so you could get me alone to ask me questions.”

She looks over with a huge smile. “Guilty! Also I wanted more than one mimosa at breakfast, and also, climate change. It was a win-win-win.”

“Frienddate, outing, whatever number two is tomorrow, yes. I have no idea what to expect. Who the hell has an April Fools’ barbecue?”

“Full disclosure, it totally seems like something your dad would have.”

I snort because she’s right. “He totally would. Just to be different.”

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