Page 51 of Paradise Pride

“She needs time.”

“She does, but she was also terrified of being seen with me. We’ve practically been hiding all week. And then she brought up stuff about kids and how we’re in different life stages, and…” Florence groaned in frustration. “Never mind. That’s about all there is to tell.”

“Kids can be a major factor in decision-making.” Manuel said, handing her a second beer as soon as she’d finished the first.

Florence rolled her eyes. “Did daytime TV teach you that too?”

Manuel hesitated for a moment as if his mind was elsewhere. “Yes,” he finally said before taking a long drink from his third bottle of water. “A relationship is a long-term decision, and how children fit into that relationship matters. If she’s already struggling with her sexuality, it’s just confusion upon confusion. I’m not surprised she’s all over the place.”

Florence was annoyed, as it felt like Manuel was picking Meghan’s side, but she didn’t defend herself. “You really have been watching a lot of shows,” she said dryly. Perhaps she was being immature; sometimes she wasn’t sure what caused her to act the way she did. “Do you think I should have been more understanding?”

Manuel tilted his head from side to side. “I can’t say. I don’t know the two of you together.” He regarded her through narrowed eyes. “Do you want kids?”

Florence hadn’t expected that question, and she was taken aback. “Yes,” she said. “I can’t imagine not ever having a family, that’s for sure. I’d like to have kids.”

“But they’re not in your five-year plan?”

Florence punched his arm. “Seriously, Manuel. You’re scaring me with your super-serious talk. You’re not like this normally.”

“Just answer my question.” He shrugged as if it was no big deal. “Are they in your five-year plan or not? Because even if you can’t imagine it now, soon you’ll be open to seeing other people again, and you need to keep stuff like that in mind when you get to a certain age.”

“You’re one to talk. It’s not like you have any experience in mindful dating.” Florence propped her feet up on the coffee table and shot him a glare. “You shag your way around town like there’s no tomorrow.” She contemplated cracking another sarcastic joke, then changed her mind and let out a long sigh. “But okay, since you asked… If it was with the right woman—the one—and I felt like the relationship was stable and long-lasting, then yes, I’d be open to children. I’m notthatyoung.” She leaned back and stared up at the ceiling. “I mean, I may be relatively young and live a life that seems whimsical to some, but that doesn’t mean I’m not focused or that I don’t have a sense of responsibility. I want to grow in my career, and I’d like a stable life eventually, but I’ve been single, so I haven’t contemplated making plans. This is easy for the moment.”

“But if things would have gone differently with Meghan and you two were in a serious relationship, is it something you’d consider with her?”

“Yes,” Florence said without hesitation. “And you know what? For a few blissfully ignorant days, I really thought she was the one.”

51

Meghan

“When are you seeing Tiger again?” Kim pushed her seat back and flicked through a magazine. She wasn’t distraught on their return to London. She had a ring on her finger, after all, and Andres had already booked a flight to come and see her in two weeks. “You were so upset. Just know that you can talk to me. I know what it feels like. This time last year, I was a mess on my flight back, but if it’s meant to be, it will all work out. You’ll see.”

“I’m not seeing Tiger again,” Meghan mumbled, pretending she was going to sleep.

“What?” Kim poked her. “What do you mean by that?”

“I mean it’s over.” Meghan kept her eyes closed so she wouldn’t have to look Kim in the eye. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Have you told him it’s over?” Kim asked, cupping Meghan’s chin and forcing her to face her.

“Yes.” Meghan jerked out of Kim’s grasp and closed her eyes again.

“But why?”

“Does it matter?” Meghan was getting irritated by her friend’s questions. She was falling apart and just wanted to be left alone.

“Yes, it matters,” Kim said. “It matters tome. You’re supposed to be my best friend, but you never tell me anything. You’ve been so goddamn secretive lately.”

“I’m not secretive. I just don’t see a future with him, that’s all.”

“You were upset. You were crying, so you clearly care about him.” Kim wasn’t letting her off the hook. She nudged her again, and Meghan had no choice but to engage in the conversation. “Tell me.”

“I don’t want to talk about it. He’s not the one for me, it’s as simple as that. Tiger is a lovely guy, and I’m sure we’ll remain great friends, but going forward, it’s not going to be more than that.” Meghan thought of Florence, and she wondered if she was sleeping. It broke her heart leaving her like she had, and already she regretted handling things in such a black-and-white way.You had no choice, she told herself. It wouldn’t have been fair to Florence to leave things open; there was no other solution but to distance herself from the woman who consumed her mind. Hopefully by doing so, she’d gain some clarity because it couldn’t be that simple, could it? Go on holiday a straight woman and return gay?

“Has it got something to do with that bartender?” Kim asked. “Florence?” She sighed when Meghan didn’t answer. “You were practically swooning over her for days. She even brought you flowers, and then, suddenly, not a word. After meeting Tiger, you spent every waking moment with him, and you were totally besotted—as you put it yourself.” She paused. “And now you’re done with him, and you won’t even give me a reason why, so I’m taking an educated guess.”

“It’s got nothing to do with…her.” Worried she might burst into tears, Meghan couldn’t even say Florence’s name out loud.

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