Page 22 of That Right Moment

“But it wasn’t.”

The other hygienist took the room next to mine, and Dr. Brenner claimed the other rooms. I noticed that Kelli, my fellow hygienist, was already taking x-rays, and Dr. Brenner was numbing…and then there was my room. Empty as Jamie and I talked about my dating life.

“Can you get Patty back?” I whispered to Jamie, embarrassed that only my patient was waiting.

“Yes, of course, but I need to know about this date you had with Milo.” Jamie kept on my tail.

I stopped and set my papers down in the operatory room. “We were set up, we had a great time talking, and then we kissed—”

“He looks like he would be a good kisser.” Jamie sighed, her eyes glossing over, and she looked up in a swoon-worthy pose.

I dropped my jaw slightly, slowly turning to give her a look of disgust. “Yeah, well, he wasn’t. Worst kiss of my life. But we did connect when we talked. So, when I didn’t make it into dental school and needed a friend to talk to, Milo came to mind. We’ve been best friends ever since. It comes naturally with him. There’s no tension. There’s no fear about what the other is thinking when it comes to our feelings. He knows more about me than anyone—even Ophelia.”

“Oh, that’s huge. Maddy—” Jamie leaned against the chair, her eyes heavy on me.

“Jamie, Milo and I are just friends. That's it. Platonic. With a capitalP,” I emphasized. “Now, please, get your head out of the clouds and bring Patty back, I need to get my mind off of things.”

Jamie narrowed her eyes. “He loves you, and you should date Milo again.” She turned and walked into the waiting room where I heard her call for Patty.

Date Miloagain?

All the times we had talked and spent together—would they have been better if we were more than friends? All the movie nights where I ended up falling asleep on his lap? All the video gaming where I got bored too quickly and ended up reading? All the trips to Powell’s where Milo would wander off and look at the graphic novels, only having to find me amongst all the books? All the drives to various events where Milo would always tell me how beautiful I looked?

Would those times have been different, better even, if we weren’tjust friends?

I rolled my eyes at the thought. That was the last thing I needed. Right now, I just needed to clear my head and thinking about dating Milo wouldnothelp that happen at all.

Ophelia had promised that when she came to visit she would hunt Kent down and kill him. I assured her that wasn't necessary. She then assured me it was.Thank goodness for best friends.

After a very heated phone call—on Ophelia’s side; I was calm—I promised her I would be fine until she arrived, giving me time to catch up on things around the house before she brought her new line in and completely took over my living room. She was this close to booking a flight out to stay with me and complete her new designs from my place, promising me books and ice cream every night.

But in reality, I knew I needed to take Jamie’s advice. Not the dating Milo advice, the celebrating advice. It had been two years since I was single, two years where I was constantly looking at my phone hoping Kent had texted me, two years where I would make myself available if he were to come home early from a trip, and two years of thinking he was my future.

I shouldn't have to mope around and mourn over a man who obviously wasn't the one for me. I should be living, finding that right man. I should be…celebrating. But how? I had spent so long not doing anything but work, read, and be with Kent I didn’t know how to do anything else

After hanging up with Ophelia, I looked down at Niko, who sat at my feet as always, his floppy tongue sticking out to the side. I let out a small chuckle and reached down to pet him.

“You’re the only man I need, Niko.”

He smiled up at me, his tongue sticking out of his mouth.

I heaved a sigh…willing to start my new life…tomorrow.

I made a quick microwave dinner and grabbed a glass of water and my book, settling down at the kitchen counter to spend the night reading and allowing myself to wallow in self-pity. I had tonight I could wallow. Tomorrow will be different.

My phone buzzed and began to turn in a circle on the countertop. A phone call.

I lifted my chin and squinted, picking my phone up, half expecting to see Ophelia’s name telling me she had hired a hitman to take out Kent, but Milo’s goofy grin showed up on the screen.

“Hey,” I said softly.

“Hey,” Milo followed up without dropping a beat. I will admit it was nice to hear his voice. I knew he was working, so I didn’t text like I wanted to throughout my day. Hearing his voice always brought a smile to my lips, one that couldn’t be erased by a thought of a magnet being thrown out. “I have a question for you.”

“And I may have an answer,” I replied. I poked the Stouffer’s meal in front of me, suddenly not wanting to eat it at all. Glancing at the clock, it was only six p.m.

“Waterpiks…”

The one word made me drop my fork. Milo called for a dental question. “You have one.”

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