Page 63 of Storm in a Teacup
“You broke up?”
“We were never dating in the first place.” I give her a quick rundown of our agreement and why we made it. “You can’t tell anyone, though. Please. Not even Rachel.”
Her jaw stiffens. “I don’t keep secrets from Rachel, Ben. Even for you. That’s where she and I differ.”
I look at her pleadingly. “I don’t want this to get out to David. Please, Isla.”
Her face grows soft. “Alright. But I can’t keep this secret forever.” Her fingers drum against her arm. “Okay, soyou’re not dating Linny, but you’re snogging in the kitchen? Please tell me that was not for our benefit.”
“Don’t be a perv. No. It was an ill-advised moment of weakness. We agreed to not do that anymore.”
“Okay. Next question. Do you fancy her?”
“Of course I fancy her. Have you fucking met her? But Ican’t. Not until this thing with David is through.” I shake my head. “And even then, she does not want to be in a relationship. With anyone. Ever. I don’t…I don’t want to fall for someone else who will not feel the same.”
She reaches out to squeeze my knee. “I get that. However, I will note, Rachel also convinced herself she was not looking to date. But then she met me and couldn’t help herself.”
I give half a smile. “Brag, why don’t you? I think you and Rach are a special case. Not everyone is as lucky as you.”
Isla weighs her head. “True.” She stands up, grabbing both my hands to pull me up with her. “Come on. We have to close. Then you are coming with me to Hoot. If you want to get over this David thing and be normal with him again, you have to spend time with him. Think of it as exposure therapy.”
I grip the broom tightly, knuckles turning white. “What if it has the opposite effect? What if I fall again?”
She tips her head sympathetically. “Then we’ll reevaluate. But if you want me to spend tonight pointing out his flaws, I can.”
“What flaws?”
“Well, for one, he talks about computers too much.”
“He’s getting a Ph.D. in Computer Engineering.”
“Exactly! What a bore. Everyone knows getting your Ph.D. is only cool if you’re a hot girl getting one in Marine Biodiversity.”
“Aka, your girlfriend.”
“Bingo.”
…
It takes the entire hour we are closing to convince me, but I finally agree to go to Hoot with Isla. Though I still hesitate once we get to the red door leading down steep stairs to the bar. I focus on the sign beside it, wondering if I’ll discover my fortune tonight:hoot the redeemer psychic palm readings crystal ball gazers waiting for you inside.
She gives me a considerate glance and says, “One drink, Ben. If you can’t stand to be in the same room as him, you can leave, but if you want to move back into normalcy with him, you have to at least try.”
My face falls. Goddamn her for being right.
I follow her down the stairs, letting her push through the door marked by a life-size psychic woman statue. When we walk in, my first thought is about how ridiculously dark it is in here. Linny would not be able to see very well, and I am annoyed on her behalf. To hell with ambiance, right?
Rachel is already here, sitting at the bar, sipping something bright green. She beams when she sees Isla, hopping up from her stool and planting a long kiss on her lips. So long, in fact, that I clear my throat loudly to remind them that they are not alone. Rachel pulls away quickly, throwing a smile of apology my way. Isla just looks annoyed with me as she uses a thumb to clean burgundy lipstick from the corner of Rachel’s mouth.
David is not behind the bar. Someone else is, but that’s okay. Gives me a second to settle in. I take the seat beside Rachel, Isla stealing the one on her other side, resting her foot on the bottom of Rachel’s stool.
I pull out my phone, opening up my chat with Linny as a reflex.
ME: Hi
OSCAR WILDE’S MOTHER: Hey. What’s up? You okay?
ME: Fine. Just thinking about you. And your cat
