She looks at me like I`m deranged.
„You can`t come to girls night; you`re a guy. We`re going to drink wine and talk trash about your gender so you can`t be there. And about guys coming on to us, don`t worry about it.”
„What do you mean, don`t worry about it?”
„I mean, we`re grown-ass women, and we can handle ourselves.”
I frown at her, and she shakes her head like I'm annoying.
„I thought you`d be glad to get rid of me for a few hours. When I moved in here with you, you`d have killed for an opportunity like this. Just think about it, a whole evening without my constant chatter.”
I shrug like it`s no big deal, even though it is.
„I got used to you being around all the time. I think it`s Stockholm syndrome.”
„Aw, I`m touched.”
„Great, then you can stay at home with me.”
„I`m not that touched. I`m going out with the girls, and I`m drinking bad quality, overpriced wine, and you can`t stop me.”
I want to argue some more, but I get the feeling that I can`t make her change her mind on this, so I guess my best bet is to sweet-talk her into promising me she`ll behave.
„Alright, fine. I get it; you feel the need to unwind and be around women for a change, that`s fine. But can you please promise me you`ll be careful and that you`ll always have your phone on hand and call me if you need anything.”
When the fuck did I become so needy? This is embarrassing; I`m an embarrassment to men everywhere.
She gets that dreamy look she sometimes gets when I say embarrassing shit like I`m the cutest, most adorable thing she`s ever seen.
„I promise, sunshine.”
God, the way her voice sometimes sounds when she calls me sunshine feels just like being kicked in the chest. It`s fricking confusing because she`s my friend and so unlike any woman I`ve ever been interested in. I remind myself that it`s perfectly normal for things to get a bit confusing when you`re around a person as much as I`m around Sophie, especially since I haven`t been with a woman in such a long time.
„Now, I made you mousaka for dinner, you just have to warm it up. I made plenty of it so you can invite Simon over if you want, and you guys can catch up.”
„Yeah, I guess.”
„Don`t pout, it will be fun, you`ll see. Now I`m going to go take a shower and change clothes cause I`ll have to be ready in about an hour.”
„How are you getting there? I hope you`re not driving.”
„No, I`m calling an uber.”
„No you`re not, I`m driving you there and when you`re ready I`ll come pick you up.”
„You don`t have to...”
„I`m doing it, and that`s final.”
„Ok, fine.”
She then tugs me down towards her and kisses me on the cheek.
„Thank you, sunshine.”
And again, I feel like I`ve been kicked in the chest.
Sophie
If this were one of Ema`s novels or a movie, I`d be wearing a sexy, figure-hugging dress that would leave everybody speechless and wondering why I`ve been hiding my body all this time.
Alas, this is real life, and I`m not a sexy dress-wearing kind of girl, so I`m rocking a just above the knee flowy black dress with some cool red and white flowers stitched near the neckline and a pair of black suede half boots. My hair is up in a messy artistic bun that took me ten minutes to achieve, and I have long silver earrings dangling from my ears.
I think I look good, and since I`m not going out looking to hook up with anybody, it`s my opinion that counts, but I must admit that seeing Max look at me like he likes what he`s seeing is a major ego boost.
„How do I look?” I ask since he`s not saying anything, just staring.
„You look...nice.”
The appreciative look disappears and is replaced by a typical Max frown.
„Isn`t that dress a bit too short?”
I look down at my dress and then give him a disbelieving look.
„Too short? Maybe for a nun. For a twenty-six-year-old single woman? No.”
He frowns even harder.
„Fine.”
Did he just fine me? God, such a drama queen.
I grab my purse, and we both get into his car, where he proceeds to lecture me on the perils of being a single woman in a bar. By the time we get to the place where I`m meeting the girls, I`m starting to get a headache.
„You know, I have been to bars before and lived to tell the tale, so you don`t have to worry .”
„Your wit and humor are unparalleled,” he says with a completely straight face „Now get out of the car, have fun and stay safe. Call me when you want me to come get you. ”
I suppress a sigh because he always rolls his eyes at me when I do it, but he`s just so damn dreamy. Ugh, I need to get drunk and trash talk with my girls because I`m getting on my own nerves with how sappy I`m being.
„Have fun with Simon, and don`t forget to heat the mousaka. I also left you a little surprise in the fridge for dessert.”
I made him a flourless, sugarless cake with figs and honey-yogurt that I know he`s going to love. I feel guilty for leaving him because I`m apparently an idiot that can`t take a hint.
I`m a sad, sad woman, my friends.
He perks up a bit at my words, but he still looks sad, which, to be honest, isn`t very helpful for my plan to get my head on straight about what we are. Not helpful at all.
„Thanks. Have fun, and stay out of trouble.”
„I will.”
I give him a peck on the cheek before I get out of the car. Did I mention I`m an idiot? I did? Well, it bears repeating.
He waits for me to go inside the trendy little bar I`m meeting Gwen and Ema at before driving off, and that little show of care melts me a little bit
