Page 7 of Bookish Boys Don't Date Social Girls
I flop my hands on my thighs. “One and done, Ava? Really?”
She chuckles, but her expression softens. “I really think you’re simply a realist. Would you have me and Bek as lifelong best friends if you had commitment issues?”
I shrug. “I mean, it’s different. Friendship versus dating.”
“Ahhh, not really,” Ava says. “Both relationships require an emotional investment for them to last.”
I gnaw on my lip, considering that.
“It isn’t like you are from a broken home that has created a fear of abandonment.” Ava points to our house. “You have the most loving family I know.”
I squint. “There may be some abandonment issues. My parents are rarely home.”
Ava swings her legs off the chaise and sits sideways facing me. She rests her elbows on her knees. “Do you feel abandoned by your parents?”
I love that she is both serious and concerned. She isn’t making fun of me or judging me. I could tell her I saw a UFOfly over our house, and she would launch an investigation to find it and see if it is anything we need to be worried about.
“No,” I acquiesce. “I don’t feel abandoned. They’re always available, even when they aren’t home.”
“What brought this up?” Ava tucks her legs sideways on the chair and lounges facing me. The pose is so similar to how we’ve laid in bed together our entire lives, sharing secrets and dreams, that I immediately feel at ease.
“Ines.” I let my head fall against the chair. “She was radiant on Saturday.”
“She’s going to be a beautiful bride.” Ava’s far-off expression tells me she’s imagining what my sister will look like on her wedding day. “But, Sam, she’s what, eight years older than you?”
“I know. But neither of my sisters are serial daters like me. Ines and Lincoln have been together since their first year of college. Bridget and Cara dated for almost two years, and she hasn’t dated since breaking up with her.” I rub my eyes. “I don’t know why Ines’s happiness made me second guess my motivation. It just did.”
“Cisco is a serial dater.”
My immediate reaction to her mentioning my oldest brother is a grin. I’m pretty sure Ava has always harbored a small crush on him. But as I consider Cisco’s dating habits over the years, I realize it’s true. He could be categorized as a serial dater right along with me. Occasionally, he sees a girl three or four times, but mostly it’s only once or twice like me. “Oh my gosh. He is, isn’t he?”
“Do you think he has commitment issues?” Ava asks.
“You stole that smirk from your boyfriend!” I laugh. “No, Francisco doesn’t have commitment issues. He’s just practical.”
Ava turns so that she’s lying flat on the chaise. She stretches her legs out and drops her head back, eyes closed,face tilted up toward the sun, even though the floppy hat shades it completely. “I rest my case.”
A tickle of pleasure runs through me as I stare at my friend. She is so good for my self-worth. I, too, close my eyes and let my body relax into my chair. If Ava says I’m okay the way I am, I’m going to believe her.
Chapter Five
“Sam, dear.”Mom grabs a set of keys from a dish on the table in the entryway. “I’ve got something on hold at Beckett’s downtown. Could you pick it up for me, please? Dad and I are going out after work, and I won’t be able to get there before they close.”
“Beckett’s?” I’m not familiar with the store.
“Yes, it’s next to the old theater.”
“Sure.” I like having an excuse to go downtown. Especially since both Ava and Bek work today, so I’m on my own again.
“Oh, and be available Saturday. Ines has invited us to visit the caterer and the baker to taste test food for the reception.”
“I’m totally in for that!”
Mom laughs and pats my cheek. “I knew you would be, dear.”
For the first time, I notice lines stretching out from the corners of Mom’s brown eyes and parentheses around her lips. I’ve never noticed them before, but I’m pretty sure she has always had them. “You’re so beautiful, Mom.”
She pauses and cocks her head. “Thank you. But what brought that up?”
