Page 43 of Isolated
“I agree, but I just can’t let this continue without addressing it.” I returned my attention to Eleni and spoke softly. “You’ve always been outspoken, and it’s one of the things I love most about you. But ever since I left Grouse to move here to Steel Ridge, things have changed between us. I thought it would get better over time, that maybe you needed some time to adjust to the change, but it hasn’t improved. Six months ago, it got worse, and for the last two months, I feel like someone else has taken your place. Whatever is going on, just tell me. Tell us. We can talk about it and fix it.”
Her eyes narrowed on me. “There’s nothing to fix, Iris. I’m fine. But I’m also allowed an opinion, and I don’t think you’re being honest with Flora. You moved here, dumped every ounce of energy into your career and work friends, but you’ve got nothing else. No family close by, no friends outside of work. And despite having all the hope in the world for it, there is no boyfriend. I just hope you’re happy with your decisions. I hope they don’t leave you feeling isolated for the rest of your life, just like your neighbor.”
My shoulders fell. Eleni had such a strange way of showing us that she cared.
“I’m not going to end up like Walter,” I assured her, my voice having softened. “You don’t need to be so upset about my move here. I love that you care so passionately and would prefer that I was closer to home, but I’m happy here. I like the life I’m building.”
She huffed and sat back. “I don’t see how that’s possible.Don’t you think you’re setting yourself up for failure by not even trying to meet other people?”
Noting the apprehension in Flora’s expression, recognizing how much she hated conflict, I figured it was best to back down the theatrics and drama it seemed Eleni was so interested in causing.
So, I plastered a smile on my face, shifted my attention between my sisters, and countered, “Isn’t that the reason the two of you are here this weekend? We’re supposed to be using this time to find me someone who might be interested in becoming my friend.”
“Boyfriend,” Flora corrected me.
I rolled my eyes and sighed. “Fine. Boyfriend.”
“Are you saying that you’re going to really try tonight?” The hope in her tone was undeniable.
Shrugging, knowing that it was unlikely to happen anyway, I insisted, “Of course, I am. I’ll do my best to be approachable, and if a guy asks to buy me a drink, I promise I won’t turn him down.”
Flora beamed at me. Unsurprisingly, Eleni did not. She preferred to up the ante. “I think you need to take it a step further than that.”
“Pardon?”
She swept her hand out in front of her body, palm up, and explained, “Well, if you meant what you said and you intend to put real effort into meeting someone, I think it’s only fair that after we finish dinner and head out for drinks somewhere, you need to approach a guy you think is cute.”
“What?”
Her brows shot up as she pursed her lips. “Are you saying you won’t?”
I hadn’t been able to bring myself to say anything toLanden about my attraction to him for months and months at the gym. It was just one of those things I’d always envisioned experiencing with the guy taking charge.
“Are you saying that if I don’t pursue someone, I must be lying about believing there’s a guy out there for each of us?”
Eleni leaned forward. “I’m saying that if you expect us to believe in your confidence about this, it’s only fair that you put that determination to the test tonight and prove to us just how serious you are about it.”
I didn’t immediately respond, and Flora noted my discomfort. “It’s okay, Iris. You don’t have to do anything tonight. We can just go out and have a good time.”
It wasn’t that I didn’t have confidence about finding a guy. It was merely that I’d just had my encounter with Landen a few days ago, and he was the guy I’d wanted for so long.
Maybe I should have just told them about him. That’d certainly help the situation.
Of course, Eleni would probably assume I was making him up in order to avoid taking on her challenge tonight.
No.
I could do this.
I could approach a guy, have a drink with him, and prove to my sisters that I truly believed in the happy ending. That I’d be willing to do anything to get it.
Squinting at Eleni, I spoke to Flora. “No, Flora. I’ll do it. We’ll finish here, and when we go out for drinks afterward, I’ll find a cute guy and approach him.”
Eleni tipped her chin up, the corner of her mouth twitching. She thought I was bluffing. “You’re saying allthe right things. I can’t wait for you to prove it with your actions.”
“I’m fully prepared to prove you wrong, Eleni.”
“How about dessert?” Flora chimed in. “Does anyone want dessert before we leave?”
