Page 24 of Moments in Ink
“Thanks for inviting me out to brunch,” I said. “I’ve been in a funk.”
“Aren’t you dating the delectable Zia? How can you be in a funk with her?”
“We’re not dating. We’re just hanging out.”
“Okay, no need to get testy.”
“Men say that to women to get them to shut up and act like good little females. I don’t appreciate it,” I said.
“I’m saying it to you because I didn’t mean to anger you. And don’t lie and say you’re not angry or worried or whatever the hell is going through your head. Because something’s there, and if you don’t want to talk about it, fine. But don’t lie to me and say that everything is okay.”
“Fine, I won’t lie to you, but I’m also not going to talk about it.”
“Okay, then. I’m here if you need me. You know that.”
“Same here, but I don’t need you.”
“Okay.”
There was an awkward silence, and I didn’t know what to say. I knew I was acting like a bitch, but I didn’t know what to think about Zia. And I didn’t really want to think about her right now, so I wasn’t going to say anything. Even if I hurt one of the only people who actually cared about me.
“Aaron?” a familiar voice said, and I looked up to see his sister Bristol walking towards the table. “I was just coming in for a scone and saw you guys here. Hi there, Meredith. It’s great to see you again.”
“Bristol,” I said, smiling at the other woman.
“I swear we don’t always see each other when we’re out and about,” Aaron said, laughing at the look on my face. “It is only coincidence because we happen to know the woman who owns the Boulder Bean.”
“A friend of a friend,” Bristol said, and I held up my hands.
“Aaron tried to explain earlier, and it gave me a headache. No need to elaborate.”
“Anyway, it’s great to see you.” Bristol bit her lip.
“Is there something you wanted to say?” I asked, worried.
“No, I just…it really is good to see you. And Zia doesn’t tell me anything because she’s so private about certain things, but she’s smiling, and I wanted to thank you for that. And now I’m going to shut up because I don’t want to ruin anything. You guys have a wonderful day.” She waved and then scurried off to the front to order. I looked over at Aaron and blinked.
“Sorry about that.”
“No need. I mean, it’s a small world.”
“We should go order our food, too. I just got here to save the table since I happen to like this spot the best.”
“I get it. Um. Just…is it okay if we don’t talk about Zia?”
“You said that earlier, and I got you. It’s only that Bristol and Zia are best friends, and they used to date. There’s going to be some weirdness no matter what when you see her.”
“Well, you and I went on a date, and we’re not weird.”
“We’re weird naturally, so adding in the dating thing or whatever we want to call what we had because sometimes you refuse to use the D-word, only adds to who we are.”
“Maybe,” I said, shaking my head. “Things are getting far too serious in this conversation right now. Let’s talk about you and your penchant for having women throw themselves at you.”
Aaron laughed. “I am a perfect specimen. What can I say? They can’t help themselves.”
“Dork,” I said, shaking my head before we went up to order our food. Bristol waved at us on her way out, giving me a bright-eyed look, and I had to wonder why Zia didn’t talk to her about me. Was it because I wasn’t serious enough? Or did she think it was more serious than it actually was?
I was giving myself a headache thinking about it and was glad that Aaron steered the conversation to books and his next art piece. It was easier to think about that than what the hell was going on with my life.