Page 9 of Basil

That night, after I got into bed with Meadow because I didn’t want to be alone, I thought about how not one of them had said anything bad about Basil. They hadn’t called him names or raged on my behalf. They weren’t here to tell me what to think, only to be here while I processed my heartbreak, holding my hand, making me tea, and telling me that I’d be fine, that I’d get through this.

I preferred my friends, I thought bitterly, to Basil’s, who I was sure had been thrilled to hear that we’d broken up. Maybe Drew had already staked her claim and…maybe they were together now? Maybe they went beyond that kiss and were now in bed.

Tears welled in my eyes as I replayed everything—Basil’s words, his dismissive tone—turning it over and over like a blade in my mind.

When I sniffled, Meadow put an arm around me, drawing me into a hug. “Shh, babe, this too shall pass.”

“Like a yeast infection?” I gave out a hiccupping laugh.

“Exactly. It’s gonna itch like crazy for a while, but eventually your vag is going to be fresh as a daisy again.”

5

CLUELESS

BASIL

Ithought the party would be subdued after Summer left—but everyone seemed to have a great time,except me. I tried. I pretended.

I went from feeling fine that Summer and I were over to hoping she’d come back. This was just a fight. Couples fought all the time, and that didn’t mean their relationships were over.

Then I remember what I said to her: “You walk out, don’t bother coming back.”

Damn it! I shouldn’t have said that. But I had to. Summer had to realize I was serious about how she needed to do better with my friends and colleagues. Sure, she came from a different world—but that didn’t mean she couldn’t adjust.

“Are you sure you want to be alone tonight?” Drew asked as I walked her out. She was the last to leave, and I was getting a little annoyed with her presence. I wanted to be left alone so I could call Summer or reach out to her—something, anything. I checked my phone to see if she’d sent a message or said she was sorry for how she behaved.Nothing!

Were we really over?

“I’m fine.”

She hugged me. Her breasts were crushed against my chest, and I noticed for the first time how she went on tip-toe, wrapping her hands around my neck. This was more than friendly—and I hadn’t noticed it before, but now that Summer had thrown a hissy fit, I did.

I stepped away from Drew, feeling awkward.

Sure, Drewwastouchy feely…but only with me? No, she hugged the other guys, too, right? But those seemed perfunctory and in greeting, this wasdifferent. I had to admit that I never saw her hugging Gareth, Ajay, or Felix so closely. Had she kissed any of them on the lips? She must’ve, right?

Then I remembered how everyone fell silent when I mentioned her kiss, and she blistered about it. It wasjusta peck…but it was on the lips, not on the cheek, as it usually was.

Damn, Summer! Now you’ve gotten me thinking about all these things that I never worried about before.

Drew was a friend. Had been one for a long time. We were close. We talked about work. We talked about our lives. Sure, she didn’t like Summer but maybe not all of Summer’s friends liked me—that wasn’t a prerequisite for a relationship, was it?

“I’m fine, Drew.”

She put both her hands on my chest and rubbed. “You sure, darling?”

Darling?

Well, she called me that sometimes and other times she called me baby. It wasn’t a big deal. We’d known each other for eight years, and we’d never fucked, so why the hell was Summer so fucking worried about this? And even more importantly, why was I second-guessing every conversation, every hug, every touch with Drew now? It was platonic.End of story!

“I’m exhausted.”

“Well, I’ll see you at work on Monday.”

“Okay.”

“You want me to come by tomorrow?” she asked softly.

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