Page 88 of The Now in Forever
I close my eyes again.
Are Ed and I going to end up together?
“Ask again later.”
I let out a frustrated huff. After a sip of wine, I shake more vigorously and ask again.
Are Ed and I going to end up together, even if I buy the bookstore?
“Very Doubtful.”
I jerk the phone up and down.
Are Ed and I going to end up together if I move to Portland?
Robin startles me mid shake. “What are you doing?”
I let out a long breath and look at the screen.
“Reply hazy. Try again.”
I toss the phone at a nearby pillow.
“Honey, are you okay?” Robin asks, her voice soft.
As I consider how to answer, I gaze out at the ocean, the sun on my face bright and warm.
“Honey?”
“I’m fine.” I hold up my glass. “Do you want some wine?”
I check my phone again. Nothing. Ed hasn’t called. Hasn’t texted.
“We’re going to explore the sandcastles then go to dinner. Do you want to come?”
“No.”
“Whoa… You hate sand art?”
“I want to work on my book.” Which is a lie. I want this magic eight ball app to tell me what I want to hear.
“Okay, maybe later we can all get a drink at The Vern?”
The wine turns sour on my tongue. That sounds terrible, too. “Maybe.”
“What’s going on? Are you upset that I’ve been spending so much time with Nathan?”
“What? No.”
Am I? Maybe a little at first, but since then I’d been too caught up in my own stuff to really notice.
Robin still looks concerned. “Are you sure? We can go to the castle thing another day. You and I can do something.”
“No. Really. I’m not upset about you and Nathan.”
“But you are upset.”
I sigh and tell Robin all about Ed. How it was a disaster when I went there, and in order to save face, I suggested we not have any contact for the rest of the summer. Then about when I was trying not to text him, finding the picture on Instagram. I tell her about Kyle and how we’ve been hanging out a bit and how we kissed last night.
