Page 143 of Grounded
"Anything else?" I'm not in the sharing mood so I keep the therapist information to myself.
"Think you'll see Seth? You had mentioned he was interested in getting together."
"He texted me a couple days after the reunion. I haven't responded yet."
"Might be nice to have a friend again."
Lately, Amelia has been the only friend I need. I've been able to tell her things I'm neglecting to tell my own mom.
"I'll text him back."
"Good." My mom looks around the kitchen and remembers something. "Bruce and I are going out to dinner tonight. Want to join us?"
"I'll pass."
"Please? Meet us for a drink at the bar beforehand. You don't have to stay the whole night. Amelia can come, too. We've all been meaning to go out, the four of us."
"Yeah okay, if she goes, maybe I'll go."
InsteadoftextingAmeliawhat her evening is like, I stop by Roasted and ask her in person. Along the way, I solidify plans with Seth to meet for drinks. I'm not jumping at the chance to meet as soon as possible, so when he suggests at least two weeks out, I'm fine with it.
He has a life—a family, a job—and I have nothing. The chance to reconnect will be nice, but I'm also not going to pretend we are best friends again.
I'm sure Amelia can hear my arrival as I circle the front of Roasted looking for a parking spot. When I walk in, I can see her recalculating her greeting.
She's excited but also reeling it back in.
"Hey, Theo."
She looks as cute as she did back in high school. Her simple black shirt with the Roasted logo in the corner, her clean face, the messy bun on the top of her head… She's as captivating now more than ever.
"Hey, busy day?"
"I'm helping Benny in the back with little details for the movie night. My shift is over in three hours."
"Mind if I order some coffee?"
"Of course not. That's why you're here, right?"
"Yes, and to see if you'd join me for drinks with our parents tonight."
"Our parents?" she asks while she prepares my coffee. I didn't even have to confirm my order; she already knows what I like.
"My mom invited us. I said I'd go if you were coming."
"Tonight?" she confirms.
"We don't have to."
I'll consider this a test to see if I'm capable of being friendly with her dad.
"We can go. I mean—yeah, if you go, I will."
"Sounds good."
She hands over my coffee and whispers, "It's on the house."
"I don't want you getting in trouble." I lean into her face and even with the overpowering aroma of coffee beans floating around us, I can smell her shampoo.
