I watch him jog across the parking lot and out into the street until he disappears behind a tree line on the side of the road.
Time to face Caroline.
She’s waiting when I open the door, excitement on her face. “Well?”
“It was nice.” I avoid looking at her.
“Nice? I need details.”
Heaving a sigh, I take off my coat. “We went to the movie, and we talked.”
Her perfectly tweezed eyebrow lifts. “And?”
“If you’re asking if he kissed me, the answer is yes.”
“And?”
“And what?” I know what she wants, but I’m sure she won’t like my answer.
“Scarlett!”
I shrug. “It was nice.”
She flops on the sofa, crossing her legs. “Again with the nice.”
I sit on the arm of the chair. “What do you want me to say, Caroline? He’s a nice guy. We had a nice time. It wasn’t spectacular. It wasn’t love at first sight. It was…nice.”
She scowls. “I don’t think you’re giving him a chance.”
My mouth drops open.
She leans forward, earnestness in her eyes. “He’s a great guy, Scarlett! He’s cute. He’s funny.”
“I don’t know.” I was confused before Tucker showed up. I’m even more confused now.
“Scar, this was one date. I know you. Give it a chance.”
I cock my head. “What are you saying?”
“I know how you are. You get nervous, and you blush, and you don’t talk. It’s hard for you to open up to people. It’s just going to take you some time to get used to him. He did ask you out again, right?”
Even though her advice is sound, I just don’t see Daniel and me working out. Even if Tucker hadn’t come over tonight. But I don’t feel like arguing about it. “I’ll think about it.”
“Good.” She reaches for my hand and pats it. “Things will smooth out. I promise. When are you going out again?”
“Friday.”
She smiles. “Plenty of time to get yourself ready. Maybe you can practice some of your guided imagery stuff.”
“Maybe.” I want to cry, and I’m not even sure why.
“I love you, Scarlett. I just want you to be happy.”
I give her a hug, then stand. “I’m tired. I’m going to bed.”
“Night.”
I get ready for bed, ignoring the sorrow that expands inside my chest, choking off my air. I lay down on the bed and tears burn my eyes until I can’t hold them in any longer. They stream down my face, dripping on my pillow.
The pillow Tucker slept on.
Three different battles wage on three fronts. Daniel, Caroline, and Tucker.
I wonder if my expectations of Daniel are too great. That I’ve seen too many rom-coms that set unrealistic expectations that no relationship could ever live up to. Did I overreact to his comments, especially since he apologized multiple times?
Part of me wonders if Caroline is right and maybe I’m not giving Daniel a chance. I have to admit that I let him do most of the talking. And he does seem like a nice guy. A normal guy. Not like the guys Momma brought home every few months. That has to count for something.
Finally, Tucker.
He stirs emotions in me that I don’t want to dredge up, yet when he touches me, all anxiety flees. When he looks at me, it’s not with pity or disgust. It’s with respect and something more. He really sees the real me, not the façade I wear to get through the day.
Why did he come over? Had he been jogging past my apartment building? There’s no way he could have seen me from the road. He had to have come with the purpose of seeing me.
One thing’s for certain. Caroline doesn’t approve of anything with Tucker, simple friendship included.
***
Daniel is waiting for me after class the next day. I didn’t get much sleep the night before, and I’m tired and cranky. I’m definitely not in the mood to tiptoe around Daniel.
He’s leaning against the wall again, and he moves toward me, looking unsure that I’ll welcome him. “Hey, Scarlett.” He gestures toward the door. “How was your class?”
I adjust the strap of my bag on my shoulder. “It was good.”
“Do you have time to grab a coffee?”
We both know the question isn’t do I have the time, but will I agree to it.
I’m tense enough with the test looming on Friday, I’m not sure I need this aggravation. I brush the back of my hand against my forehead. “I really need to study.”
His mouth purses. “It’s only twenty minutes. Then you’ll have an hour before Arabic.”
I’m irritated that he’s trying to arrange my study time, but he’s right. It’s only twenty minutes out of the seven hours I estimate that I have left to study. “Okay.”