Page 67 of Thanks for the Friendship
Theo begrudgingly searches through the list of movies. Obviously he has no idea what’s going on, and I’m a little confused myself.
We all stretch out on Theo’s huge sectional couch. Of course Theo and Gabby are snuggling close together on one end, while Cal and I are sitting in the two recliners with a console between us on the other end.
I laugh through all the funny parts of the movie, but my mind is a million miles away. I’m trying desperately not to overthink what’s happening with Cal and me. Gabby made a great point about me being Cal’s friend. Obviously this casual night of pizza and movies is about supporting him and giving him something to do after his breakup. Yes, he chose to watch my favorite movie, but that doesn’t mean he’s ready to embark on a romance with me. And when I ended things with Jordan, I committed to taking a break from relationships and being on my own for a while. I’m not planning to go back on that.
All of the sudden Theo pauses the movie, which drags me out of my thoughts.
“Ugh. This movie is so embarrassing. Who wants ice cream?” He jumps up from the couch and heads to the kitchen.
Gabby shrugs her shoulders and then follows him.
Neither Cal nor I move from our recliners.
He turns his head to face me. “Thanks for coming and not leaving me alone with the happy couple.”
I smile. “No problem. Did you really want to watch this movie, or did you just want to annoy Theo?”
“Both, but mostly to annoy him.”
“I love it.” I hold up my hand to give him a high five. His hand touches mine, but he doesn’t pull it away. His fingers slowly curl around mine. Our gazes lock once again, but this time I don’t look away. He starts to move his face closer to mine, and just as he reaches for my cheek, Theo returns like a bull in a china shop.
“Guys, we have—oh, damn, sorry.”
Gabby appears right behind him, her jaw dropping open.
“I actually think I will get some ice cream,” I announce. “I’ve already had pizza, so what the hell.”
I kick the recliner closed and hurry to the kitchen. Thankfully, Gabby reads my mind and joins me.
“What—”
I hold up my hand to stop her from saying another word.
“I don’t know what I’m doing, but I need to stop it,” I whisper.
“Why?”
“Are you kidding me? Why do you think? He’s just barely single, and the last thing I need is to get involved with Cal Sims all over again. We’re not teenagers anymore.”
Of course my brain is telling me one thing, but my heart is saying another.
“I understand … But is that what you really want?”
I twist my hair around my fingers. “It has to be.”
“The Lila Barlow I know takes risks and doesn’t hide from things.”
I sigh. “That’s true, but this is different.”
“Because it’s him.”
“Yes.”
She laughs as I reach for the carton of Rocky Road.
“By the way, your fiancé has the worst timing ever.”
She laughs. “You know you love him like a brother.”
