Page 52 of June

“Enid, if you don’t feel things for her, you need to tell her.”

“I know. I know. I just wanted to see if feelings would develop. Not everything is so instant all the time. Sometimes, you meet someone, and it’s fun and nice, and you don’t feel it right away, but it shows up later.”

“You’ve described how you feel about Jill asniceabout ten times now.Niceisn’t exactly how I’d describe Logan.”

“Oh, I’m aware. I’ve heard you describe Logan so much recently.”

“Sorry. Am I one of those girls now?”

“Yes, but it’s okay. You’re in love for the first time, and it’s new.”

Rory looked over at Logan, who was working behind the bar, and said, “Even though I resisted it, Enid, I felt it. I feltsomethingright away. Did you feelsomethingright away for Jill?”

Enid shook her head and replied, “Not for Jill, no.”

“But for Caroline?” Rory asked.

Enid nodded then.

“Why hadn’tIthought about picking someone up at the career fair?” Rory joked.

“I met her at the bar, technically.”

“Here?”

“No, when we all went out. It was the night I asked Jill out.”

“What?”

“She was in line for the bathroom, and I accidentally bumped into her. We only talked for about three seconds, but there was something there. I don’t know if I would’ve talked to her more had her friend not shown up, but I know when I was talking to you after that, and then Jill showed up, I was still thinking about Caroline. I didn’t know her name, but I think part of the reason why I asked Jill out was that I was wishing I had said more to someone else. That makes things worse, I know, but I bumped into Caroline at the career fair, and it was still there. I didn’t get her info, but she found me again, and we hung out. Then,sheaskedmeout. I even told her about the Jill thing, and she still wanted to go. I half-expected her to take it back, but she didn’t. That night, I was on a date with Jill, and Iwasfocusingon Jill, but I also couldn’t help but think about Caroline. I didn’t know what to do because I already told Jill that I was going to go out with her, and when she asked me if I still wanted to go out withher, I told her that I did. I think I might have nodded, actually. I don’t remember. I just felt bad because I’d started this; I’d asked Jill out, but then I didn’t know whether I wanted to keep dating, and I told her I did instead of just dealing with it.”

“You can’t think about someone else while you’re with someone, Enid. That’s not fair to either of them.”

“I know.” She took a drink of her beer. “I need to tell Jill that I think we should be friends.”

“Yes, you do.”

“But she’s going to think I chose someone over her.”

“Youarechoosing someone over her.”

“No, it’s not like that.”

“Hey, babe. Hey, Enid,” Logan said as she stood by the booth. “I’m done.”

“Yeah?” Rory asked. “She’s off,” she added to Enid.

“Oh,” Enid let out, knowing that it meant Rory would be leaving soon.

“Enid, can you take me home later? I came in with Logan. I worked a little earlier when it got busy.”

“You needmeto take you home?” Enid checked.

Logan looked just as confused.

“I’m going to stay and hang out with Enid for a little bit. Want to just go to my place, and I’ll have her take me there when we’re done?” Rory asked Logan.

“Oh, sure,” Logan replied and squinted at Enid’s drink.

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