Every Little Dream(30)

I don’t bother looking at my watch. I don’t need to know that too much time has lapsed for someone to just be late. My excitement drains. The doubt in the back of my mind grows.

He’s not coming.

Just in case, I sit a little bit longer. I check my phone but there are no new messages. I send him a quick text, asking if everything’s all right. Then I wait, still grasping onto the hope that there’s a logical excuse for his dropping our date.

Justine sticks her head out the door. “I’m watching a movie up in my room after clean up. Want to join?”

Her smile is sympathetic, and I see all the told-you-sos running through her mind that she’s not saying to me. That Chad isn’t my type. That he has a bad reputation. That he’s basically a jerk. Am I completely wrong about him?

I check my phone once more. He’s not coming. If he was late, he’d text that he’s on his way. He’s forgotten. Maybe so completely bored with me at this point that he just wants to fade away. How could I have been so wrong?

I stay until the last possible moment. The sun drops behind the horizon and a chill creeps into the air. I head inside and change into yoga pants and a sweatshirt. It’s time to delve into the secret stash of licorice that I always keep on hand in case of emotional emergencies, and this is one of those times. I grab it and head into Justine’s room.

She’s smiling, wrapped in her blanket, sitting on top of a bunch of pillows on her bed. I hold up the bag of candy. “I come bearing gifts.”

The remote is directed at the small television. “Take a seat. The movie’s ready to go.”

“What’re we watching?” I’m glad she didn’t interrogate me on my date, on Chad not showing up or texting.

“Just the most romantic, the best movie ever.”

“Sounds good.” I flop onto the bed and grab a piece of licorice. This is just what I need.” I sigh. “Perfection.”

Within seconds, I realize the best movie ever is Dirty Dancing. Memories flood of my night with Chad on the bandstand. How could I have misunderstood? He’s been caring. So attentive. So fun. Was it all an act? I check my phone for the fourth time.

The movie pauses just as Patrick Swayze walks into the room.

I wait for the questions.

“Listen,” she says, “you don’t have to tell me anything. But I’m not blind. You walk around the Inn, talking with people, but you’re in a trance. Your mind, your heart are somewhere else. You’re daydreaming. I recognize the look of love. So what’s going on?”

“Am I that obvious?”

“Yup.”

I smile shyly. “I’m sure you don’t want to hear about my boy problems.”

“I want to watch this movie but not if you’re upset. So tell me what’s wrong. I’ll give you my perspective, then we can chow down on licorice and soak in some eye candy and fantasize that’s us on the dance floor.”

I tuck a pillow under my arms and roll onto my back. “It’s complicated.”

“So. Love’s always complicated.”

“Love?” I don’t know about love.

“Yeah, love. What else is going on between you and lover boy?”

“I don’t know. But I’m pretty sure it’s not that.” It hurts to admit it. “He never showed for our date this afternoon.” I check my phone once more. “And he never texted.”

Justine sits up. “I might not have a ton experience with boys. I’ve dated here and there. But,” she nudges me, “I know you can’t jump to conclusions until you know the truth.”

“Aren’t you going to say I-told-you-so?”

“Nope. Because love just happens. We can’t always control with who or when, even if logic tells us it won’t work.” She pauses as if choosing her words carefully. “You might just be the best thing to happen to that boy.”

I laugh. “Right.” I put the phone away, determined not to look at it the rest of the night. “Alright, the eye candy awaits.”

“Are you sure?” Justine asks. “We can watch this any night.”

“Positive.” I grab another piece of licorice and face the small TV, ready to forget for a little bit.





Sunshine streams through the glass windows. I wrap my hands around my morning cup of coffee and take in the breathtaking scenery of the shoreline, the sky, the scattered clouds. Morning came went too fast. My alarm went off at 5 a.m. Enough time to shower and do the prep work before the doors open.

I still haven’t checked my phone. I can’t go there. My gut feelings return. I can’t help but think about the various times Chad’s had to apologize for being late or for cutting out early. Last night wasn’t the first time. I’ve had a feeling for a while that he’s not telling me everything. When he’s focused on me, it’s great. He gives me all of his attention, but that seems to flit about like a skittish butterfly, like he’s not quite sure what he wants to do with our relationship. Sometimes he acts like my friend, then he flirts, then he kisses me. Is he waiting for me? Is he letting the good girl take the lead? Go at my pace?