Page 43 of False Start

I blink away the thoughts swirling around my head and refocus on brunch.

"Nowhere. Just preoccupied with work, like I said." I paste on a fake smile.

Tiffany and Maya exchange a look.

"Seriously, I'm fine," I insist. "C'mon. Let's get a pitcher of mimosas for the table."

Once the waiter brings our libations and we place our food orders, the conversation shifts back to the center.

"What you're doing there is seriously impressive," Maya coos.

"I'll drink to that!" I clink my glass against Tiffany's. "Between Maya's crafting class, all the other cool electives, and now my fashion design workshop, I bet you'll have a waitlist next term. I would've killed for programs like these as a kid."

"Aw, you guys! You're going to make me blush," Tiffany says, already several shades pinker. Maya squeezes her shoulder.

"You deserve your flowers, babe. Not many people could do what you've done. You built that program from the ground up in, like, six months. All while still getting used to a new city."

"That might be the most impressive part!" I exclaim. "Even with no connections, you still managed to get so many people on board with your plans for the center."

"Thank you," Tiff replies, misty eyed. The waiter arrives with our food, saving her from further compliments.

"So," Maya says around a mouth full of chicken and bacon waffles, "Did everyone get their invite to the Park's Halloween party next week?"

"You know it! I can't believe I finally get to dine with the distinguished Mama and Papa Park," Tiffany squeals excitedly.

I, on the other hand, have been dreading the event since I got my invitation in the mail a few days ago. Cory, me, and my girls all in one place with free-flowing alcohol? Something's bound to slip out and then everyone will know he and I arewaymore than acquaintances.

"You know," Maya leans forward with a conspiratorial grin, "last year's party is when Adam proposed."

Tiffany clutches her chest as if overwhelmed by the romantic gesture.

"Is that before or after you snuck upstairs to knock boots in his childhood bed?" I ask with a smirk. She scowls and flicks my hand playfully.

"After. And I never should have told you that!"

"Not if you didn't want me to tease you about it, no," I laugh. I look up to see Tiffany's smile go squishy around the edges. "Is everything OK, Tiff?"

"Everything's fine," she sighs with melancholy in her voice. "I'm just wishing I was anywhere near someone proposing to me. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy for you," she tells Maya. "I just wish I had more going than Tinder dates and hookups."

"So things didn't pan out with Monica?" I ask. I might be terrified of intimacy, but Tiffany is an even bigger romantic than Maya, and I want that life for her.

"Nah," she grumbles. "I finally responded to her after I wrapped my head around the whole thing. When the three of us…" She trails off and blushes. "It was good that first time, all of us together. And it was always great with Monica. But I didn't click one-on-one with Brandon at all."

Maya's eyes look like they're about to roll out of her head.

"Wait a second. You had a threesome, and this is the first time I'm hearing about it?"

I try not to preen. I guess Tiffany and Iaregetting close if she didn't tell Maya about the throuple thing.

"It happened when you were on your honeymoon," Tiff explains. "I met her at your wedding, actually, and after a couple dates, she brought me home to meet her boyfriend." Maya gasps. "I know. I freaked out at first too, but I really liked her, so I tried it." She slumps down in her chair, looking defeated. "But, as usual, no matter what I try, nothing sticks."

Maya and I both scoot our chairs closer to envelop Tiffany in a hug. No words are needed. Maya might be a married woman now, but she knows just like the rest of us that some days, dating in the city can just get you down. It's like, how many frogs do you have to kiss to get your prince? How many bad dates, broken hearts, and false starts does it take until you find someone worth your time? Someone that excites you in the bedroomand out? Someone who shares interests with you, who you wouldn't mind spending more than just the night with?

Someone who, even after a shitty day, you just want to come home to and hold?, my subconscious adds. Because she's a bitch like that. She loves to lay it on thick, even after she's made her point.

Regardless of my plans and our bullshit rules, it seems like I may have finally found someone worth talking to long-term. And I think I owe him an apology.

Thankfully, I'm still on the list at the front desk and Mike lets me in with no problem. There's no guarantee Cory's home, or that he wants to see me after how I've been acting for the past week, but I have to try. He's worth at least that much.

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