Page 69 of Thanks for the Friendship
“Yeah …”
“So maybe you need some time to get used to life without her.”
He opens his mouth and then closes it quickly.
“Three years is a long time to be with someone,” I add.
I feel like this conversation is as much for me as it is for him.
“Will you have dinner with me?” he asks, sliding closer to me. “As friends.”
What the hell? Did he not hear a word I just said? His blue eyes are burning into mine, and I feel like I’m having déjà vu. It’s highly likely that we’ve stood in this same spot before.
“As friends,” I repeat softly.
“Yes.”
Suddenly I have the urge to wrap my arms around his neck and pull his lips to mine, which goes against everything I just said.
Don’t do it, Lila.
“Unless you don’t trust yourself around me,” he adds, the corner of his mouth curling up.
Um, what? The urge I just had is halted by his overconfidence.
“Oh, I don’t think you want to go there,” I say.
He gives a casual shrug and places his on hand on the door frame next to me. “Are you up for the challenge? It’s just two old friends eating a meal together.”
This is the Cal Sims I remember. Smooth, calm, and confident.
“I’m always up for a challenge,” I reply. “So, it’s a yes.”
He smiles proudly. “Next weekend?”
“Fine.”
He slides his hand down the door frame. “I’ll be in touch. Good night, Lila.”
He turns around and walks back into the dark yard toward Theo’s house.
I wait a few minutes before going inside. I have no idea what just happened, but somehow I’ve agreed to dinner with Cal. My eighteen-year-old self is ecstatic about this second chance, but the present day me is wondering if I’m opening a door that should remain closed.
* * *
One of the reasons I love Pilates is the chance to be active, to focus and relax. And I’ve met some great people in my classes, like Reagan.
I’m stretching out on my mat with my eyes closed when Reagan groans loudly.
“Lila,” she whispers.
“Good morning, ladies,” a shrill voice says.
I open one eye to see Bethany standing over me. This is not the way I wanted to start my day. Hopefully it’s not an omen of things to come. She’s wearing a gray snakeskin-printed sports bra with matching leggings and a full face of makeup. Has this girl ever taken an advanced Pilates class? This should be quite entertaining.
“I forgot you came to this studio,” she says, pretending to be shocked.
Lies, all lies.
