Page 55 of Blindsided

“It would be a disservice to women everywhere if they didn’t,” I say.

“Truth.” Ellie holds her drink up.

“Ugh. Can we be done talking about my brothers’ sex lives, please?” Sara grumbles. The smile she’s hiding says she doesn’t really care, but I take pity on her anyway.

“Okay, fine. We can move on. Katie, what do you do?” I ask.

“I’m a fourth-grade teacher.”

“And a badass mom to boot,” Ellie adds.

Katie’s smile is soft when she looks at Ellie. “I don’t know about that, but I do have a son. His name is Cody, and he’s about to turn eleven.”

“He’s growing up too fast,” Ellie says.

“Tell me about it.”

“Does he like to read? I just started a program at the library for that age range and would love to have him participate,” Natalie asks. She’s the director of the Sonoma Public Library.

“He loves to read. Send me the details, and we’ll come over.”

More conversation flows about books. I find out that all the girls love to read romance as much as I do, and Sara invites us to join the book club she and Natalie are in.

“We do read the books we pick, but our get-togethers are more about the drinks and snacks than the books.” Natalie laughs.

“That’s the way it’s supposed to be,” Ellie says.

“Agreed.” Natalie nods.

Sara looks over at me. “Tilly, when do you go back to New York?”

“In a few weeks. I’ve got to sign the closing paperwork for my apartment.”

“Are you going to stay in the city afterward?” Ellie takes a sip of her second margarita.

“I’m not entirely sure. There are a lot of factors I have to consider first. I haven’t found a new place to live in the city. The police haven’t found my stalker either. And then there’s Matthew.”

“What about Matthew?” Natalie pushes when I don’t finish the thought.

“We haven’t talked about what we’re going to do after I go back. He hasn’t brought it up, and the longer we go without talking about it, the more nervous I get to say anything. Wouldn’t he have said something by now if he wanted me to stay?”

“Not necessarily. He might just assume you’re coming back regardless,” Ellie points out.

“Yeah, he may not think he needs to say anything. Boys can be a little air-headed when it comes to this kind of stuff,” Sara says.

“No kidding. As much as we wish it, they can’t read our minds, which means you have to be the one to bring it up,” Natalie adds.

I scrunch my nose. “Yuck.”

The girls laugh and lift their glasses in agreement. Our conversation switches to Ellie and Adam’s wedding plans. They want to get married this summer but can’t find a venue available that soon.

My attention is only half on the conversation as I try to figure out what I’m going to say to Matthew. We’ve created this little bubble around us over the last month and a half. If I bring up my leaving, that bubble is going to burst, and reality will come crashing in.

Right now, it’s only the two of us in our little space. What happens if our relationship crashes and burns when we put it to the test? The real world is cruel, and I’d rather stay in my happy little cocoon for as long as I can.

But reality never lets you pretend for long.

CHAPTER24

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