“Yeah, you’re right,” I nodded thoughtfully. “I mean, when I started this process, I wanted to give myself a lot of good options and I mean, dating can be fun. I guess I just can’t take it so seriously. I do want to settle down, but I do want to make sure it’s the right guy. You’re right, Harry. Thank you. I appreciate the advice.”
“Hey, no worries. I know you’re one of Sarah’s best friends and I know we don’t always get along, but I do want the best for you, just as I want the best for Sarah always, you know?”
“Thanks,” I said, feeling slightly embarrassed. This was the most emotional conversation Harry and I had ever had and I didn’t know how I felt about it. It was going to be very hard to hate him if he said and did nice things like this.
“Okay. So pizza, guys?”
“Yeah.”
“And girls, order whatever you want. Everything’s on me tonight.”
“No,” I interrupted Harry. “No, I invited you guys. It’s on me.”
“Gemma, accept it while it’s on offer,” he laughed, “because you know it’s not on offer a lot.”
“That’s very true. You’re a cheapskate.”
“I wouldn’t say I’m a cheapskate,” he grinned. “Okay. I’m a cheapskate. So, girls order whatever you want, I’m just going to go to the restroom and I’ll be right back, okay?”
“Okay.”
“And Harry?” Sarah asked as he stood up.
“Yeah?”
“Maybe we can go dancing later tonight, the three of us, and have some fun?”
“We’ll see,” he said with a smirk, “we’ll see.”
He walked further away from the table then and I smiled at Sarah, “You know what girl? You were right, he’s not half bad.”
“I know,” she said with a dreamy expression on her face, “that’s why I keep him around.”
We both laughed then. She leaned forward and grabbed my hand and her voice lowered, “I just want you to know, Gemma, that I agree with Harry.”
“Oh, what do you mean?”
“I mean, yeah, get to know Lucas better, but don’t become too fixated on him right away. Wait to see if he’s going to be the one and still keep your options open, okay?
“Okay, sure.”
“I just don’t want to see you get hurt. And a lot of times when we really want something, we accept something that’s not really meant for us. We try and make it work and maybe it will work with him and maybe it won’t, just enjoy the process and don’t let your family overwhelm you or make you make a decision that you’re not ready for yet. Okay?”
“Okay, thanks, girl.”
“You got it. Now let’s continue drinking, get some pizza and then have the best night because we both need it.”
“Yes, we do.”
We held up our glasses and clinked them together before drinking down the rest of our drinks. I listened to the music and closed my eyes, swaying back and forth and trying not to get too emotional. I was disappointed about Connor and how our date had gone, but Harry and Sarah were right. He didn’t owe me anything, I didn’t even know him. I couldn’t allow my emotions and my feelings to be turned upside down by a guy I barely knew. I needed to be okay with whatever happened. I needed to just go with the flow, have fun with it all. It didn’t have to be so serious. I didn’t have to have a long list of requirements. When it was the right guy, I would know and until then, I’d just have fun because at the end of the day, wasn’t that what life was really all about?
Chapter 18
Sarah: How are you feeling this morning? I have a major headache!
Gemma: Not bad. A bit angry at Connor for ditching.
Sarah: I understand. That’s so frustrating. But at least you have Lucas.
Gemma: Yes! And today I’m going to respond to some more guys!
Sarah: You go girl.
Gemma: Lol, I feel like the only place I’m going is to the madhouse.
Sarah: Oh no, why?
Gemma: I just feel inexplicably hurt by Connor and his BS. How dare he leave our date to go to work?
Sarah: It was rude. I bet he doesn’t have good intentions.
Gemma: He couldn’t fake it for an hour? Not like I was asking him to friggin marry me.
Sarah: Some guys are just too immature and have no patience.
Gemma: Well good riddance to bad rubbish
Sarah: Yup.
Gemma: The trashman just called and he’s gone!
Sarah: Oh Gemma! Maybe talk to him and see if he has a good explanation.