Page 97 of The Invitation
“This is just all really fast,” I say.
“No, it’s not. It’s taken too many years to make this happen.”
I laugh. “True. But what if he gets home, takes a shower, and realizes that he really just wanted to have sex with me, and I don’t really have the potential for being a part of his future?”
My insides twist at the thought of Ripley not wanting to see me again. It’s almost funny. Twenty-four hours ago, the idea of being a part of Ripley’s life would’ve seemed deplorable. Now, not being in it seems unbelievable.
“I’m not saying that to mean I think we’re getting married or something,” I say. “I just mean that I don’t want to get my hopes up.”
She smiles sadly. “I know where this is coming from.”
“No, you don’t.”Except, she does.
“You’re the one that said you wanted to put your hopes into actionable items,” she says. “This, my friend, is actionable.”
Maybe.
“Did you ever set intentions for your life like I told you to?” she asks.
“No.”
“I figured, so I set them for you.”
“Can you do that?” I laugh.
She shrugs. “I don’t know for certain. But I did it anyway and this is happening for you. You got a job.Ripley. My intentions for your life are coming true.”
“You manifested Ripley for me?”
“Eh, no. Not necessarily. Kind of.” She winces. “I manifested a great guy—someone loyal, honest, funny, handsome, kind, protective, and hardworking.”
So, yeah, you did manifest him.
I flop back on the sofa and think about all the new things I know about Ripley. All the ways he’s cared silently for me over the years. The way he loves his puppy. How he hides his pain under a charming smile and doesn’t expect anyone to see beyond it.
The sad part about that is that I’m not sure that many do see beyond his exterior.
But now, I do.Thank God for that.
“So you’re now giving him time to decide he’s not into you?” Sutton asks. “That’s the most Georgia thing I’ve ever heard.”
I roll my eyes.
“But you’re into him, right?” she asks, curiously.
“Yeah. I’m into him.” I get to my feet and pace my living room. “I can’t explain this, and it’s going to sound … ridiculous, probably. But I finally feel like I can go forward now. There’s a way forward for me that makes sense. I’ve been just paddling along, directionless, you know? Now there’s this peace, I guess. Like I don’t have any decisions to make.” I look at her and smile. “It’s like I can rest now.”
Her smile stretches from ear to ear. “I’m so happy for you.”
“I’m happy for me, too.” My smile fades. “I just have to figure out how to tell my mom.”
Sutton and I exchange a look, and I sit back down.
I stare at the dark television screen and sigh. “I don’t know how to tell her.”
“I know this is a thorny topic for her.”
“You think?” I snort. “It’s the only thing she’s ever asked of me.Do not date a Brewer.” I lie back against the cushions, my heart sinking. “She’s never going to go for this.”
