Page 64 of Hooking Up
"That's cheesy."
"Still."
The server stops at our table. We order dinner and hand over our menus.
She doesn't get a drink.
I follow her lead.
It's not unusual. Especially at a place without a full bar. Not everyone is into wine—fuck knows I'm not.
But still.
It seems intentional.
I straighten my back. Move closer. "How are your steps going?"
Her cheeks flush. "Okay, I guess. I feel embarrassed even thinking about it."
"Then why do it?"
"What else am I gonna do?"
"Live your life."
"Yeah…" She pulls her arm across her chest. Runs her fingers over the ink on her forearm.
You are not your mistakes.
I still don't know what it means.
What she's trying to escape.
But I want to.
"What are the other steps?" I bring my glass to my lips. Take a long sip. Fuck, I'm thirsty. She wore me out.
"It's boring."
"Not to me."
She wraps her fingers around her glass. Stares at the water like it holds all the secrets to the universe. "A lot of basic stuff. Eat right. Sleep right. Exercise."
"Sounds reasonable."
"Yeah. I guess. It all takes so much time and energy though. Don't you think?" Her eyes go to my chest. My shoulders. My forearms. "No, I guess you wouldn't."
I chuckle. "I didn't realize I was derailing your life plan with that cake."
"It was sweet. Different." She brings her glass to her lips and takes a long sip. Another. She swallows hard. Wipes her lips with her thumb. "There's other stuff."
"I imagine."
Her eyes go to the table. Her voice gets nervous. "Get in touch with old friends. Make new ones."
"How's that going?"
Her lips curl into a half smile. "I'm here."
