Earlier than she may change her thoughts, she snaked her hand beneath the sheet. Saturday evening couldn’t come quickly sufficient for Beth. She had no thought if they’d try and play that evening, but when issues went effectively, she had each intention of taking Drew up on his provide and letting him return the favor.

***

Chapter 13

By the point Saturday afternoon rolled round, Beth was changing into nauseous from all of the ups and downs she’d skilled within the final day and a half. One minute she was trying ahead to her date with Drew. The subsequent minute, she was debating whether or not or to not name it off.

Nicole had been her saving grace. Each time Beth began to get chilly toes, she’d name her finest good friend and get reassured that she wasn’t being silly by giving Drew a shot. Actually, she was making herself sick with all of the dependency, however she wanted a shoulder to lean on and Nicole received the luck of the draw.

“You prepared for this?” Nicole requested.

It was 4 fifteen and Beth was standing in entrance of her toilet mirror fixing her hair and make-up. She had her good friend on speakerphone so she may prepare and speak on the similar time. Drew had despatched her a textual content on Friday letting her know that he’d decide her up at 5 on Saturday night. Giving him her tackle had taken extra resolve than giving him her telephone quantity, however she’d performed it. His reply again to her, together with a smiley face and a ‘see you tomorrow’, had her grinning and all emotions of unease disappeared.

With lower than an hour till he was on account of present up on her doorstep, she’d wanted Nicole’s help but once more. “I believe so. I simply hope I’m making the correct determination. The buddies factor was working effectively. What if this ruins it?”

“What if it makes it higher?” Nicole countered.

“I do know. I’m simply frightened about all of the what-ifs. I can’t assist it.”

“Contemplating what that jackass Ben did to you, it’s not shocking. Talking of which, he hasn’t proven up once more, has he?”

Beth had instructed Nicole about Ben displaying up on the café earlier that week. Her good friend had wished to trace him down and have a pleasant lengthy chat with him. It was a candy notion, and Beth appreciated it, however she additionally knew it wouldn’t assist something in the long term. If Ben confirmed up once more, she would almost definitely need to look into getting a restraining order. That wasn’t a pleasing thought, however she couldn’t have him persevering with to point out up at her store and disrupt her and her enterprise.

“No.” She completed operating the comb by her hair, and debated whether or not or to not put it up or depart it down. “I simply want I knew what he wished. First the membership, and now the café? And why a lot time in between? It doesn’t make sense.”

“No, it doesn’t. However you realize what they are saying. Curiosity killed the cat.”

She laughed. “Thanks. I’ll attempt to keep in mind that.”

Deciding to go away her hair free, Beth cleaned up the counter, and went to her bed room to begin getting dressed. Drew mentioned they’d be preserving issues informal, so she was choosing shorts and a fitted T-shirt.

“Simply keep in mind to loosen up and have enjoyable. It’s only a date. And Drew looks like a pleasant man.”

Beth waited till she’d pulled her shirt over her head earlier than answering. “So did Ben, at first.”

“It’s important to be taught to belief once more someday.”

“Possibly I have to have that tattooed throughout my brow or one thing.”

“Nah. If it was in your brow, you’d solely see it once you appeared within the mirror.”

As common, speaking to Nicole had lightened her temper significantly. “Okay, I believe I’m prepared. And . . .” Beth glanced on the clock beside her mattress. “I’ve over twenty minutes to kill. Simply sufficient time for me to psych myself out once more.”

Nicole snorted, and Beth may virtually see her rolling her eyes. “Do you’ve gotten any thought the place he’s taking you?”

Beth strolled into her lounge and took a seat on her sofa. “I requested, however he mentioned he wished to shock me.”

They spent the following a number of minutes throwing out concepts on the place Drew may be taking her on their date. It had began with issues similar to dinner and a film, however by the point a knock sounded on her entrance door, they have been each guffawing and making jokes about outrageous costumes and scavenger hunts.

“I believe he’s right here.”

“Loosen up, and have enjoyable. Oh, and name me tomorrow. I need particulars.” With that, Nicole hung up, not giving Beth time to reply. Sighing, she tucked her telephone into her purse earlier than going to reply the door.

Drew stood on her entrance porch with a small bunch of pink flowers. They appeared just a little like lilies, however she’d by no means seen lilies that colour earlier than.

“Hello.”

“I hope I’m not too early. I couldn’t wait any longer.” He gave her that smile she cherished a lot.

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