Page 11 of A Damaged Soul
"That's my fault. I never should've put it in your head." Molly's remorseful tone filled my vehicle.
I leaned my head back on the seat and allowed Molly's breathing to soothe away the hurt.
"I guess this makes two red flags?" I asked her after a few moments of silence.
"Maybe something came up?" I had to give Molly credit for trying, but despite her words, her tone didn't sound as convincing.
"Too busy to send off a quick text to cancel?" I argued back.
"You're right. You deserve someone who can take the time to at least send you a quick text that he can't make it. Actually you deserve the world." Molly sighed. "I never should've let you convince me to let you leave Friday night. Then you never would've met him, and you wouldn't be feeling so sad right now."
As much as I wanted to regret meeting Rhett, I just couldn't. My night with him was one of the best I’d had in a long time. A sad reality when I thought about it.
"Is it pathetic if I go home and drown my feelings in ice cream?"
"Girllll," Molly chided. "You don't need a reason to do that. Eat that damn ice cream like the queen you are and don't let anyone tell you otherwise."
Molly was the kind of friend every woman needed to have. "You're right. I'm going to eat my ice cream and forget all about Rhett," I told her with conviction.
"That's my girl. Call me if you need anything.”
After saying goodbye, I hung up the phone, and with renewed determination, I drove back to my house.
I lived in a small one-story cottage-style home with a white picket fence and flower beds under the windows. It was my idea of the American dream.
Climbing out of the vehicle, I walked up the brick walkway and let the front of my home bring me peace. I kicked off my sandals and let the lush grass tickle my toes. I stopped to smell the flowers that were just starting to bloom. By the time I walked into my house, I was no longer wallowing about Rhett standing me up.
I did however go to the kitchen and grab the tub of Dutch chocolate ice cream and a spoon. Just because I no longer wanted to eat my feelings didn't mean I couldn't enjoy some ice cream while I turned on the latest series I was binge-watching.
With no real plans for a Saturday, I settled into my comfy couch with a throw blanket and dessert. I was halfway through the third episode when my phone pinged with a notification that I had a text message.
I contemplated ignoring it in case it was Rhett, but curiosity got the better of me. Sure enough it was the man himself.
RHETT
I'm so sorry about today. An assignment I was sent on went sideways and took longer than I thought it would, otherwise I would've texted you before I left.
I considered not answering him but then thought better of it. Since he took the time to reach out, the least I could do was answer him.
ELLE
It's fine. Hope everything is okay.
I waited to see that the message was delivered, then went to shut the screen off, but before I could do it, I saw that Rhett was calling me.
"Hello?" I answered a bit confused. Rhett didn't seem like the kind of man who liked to talk on the phone when he could text instead.
"I might not be the smartest guy when it comes to women, but even I know the word fine doesn't actually mean things are fine."
I chuckled at his assessment and snuggled deeper into the blanket. "Did your sisters teach you that?"
"They did, and they would kick my ass if they knew I stood you up today."
The thought that his sisters would care enough made my heart skip a beat. I mentally kicked myself immediately for the thought.
Just friends.
I repeated those two words over and over in my head.
