Page 62 of The Luck of Finding You
Flowers do not fix everything. Why do guys think flowers fix everything?
Sam
I thought you liked flowers???
This conversation is not helpful. I have to tell her the truth, even if now it’s going to be extremely awkward because I’ve had so many chances to come clean and I haven’t taken any of them.
I run my hands through my hair. It’s probably sticking straight up at this point, but that is the least of my problems.
Annie
Not the point. You have to tell her, Noah.
You like her, right?
Yeah, I really like her. Like a lot.
Annie
Then tell the woman. It’s always better to be honest than to lie and hide things.
Annie’s text makes sense, but I wouldn’t say that I’ve been intentionally hiding things for too long, right? Does that make it less bad?
Annie
Just tell the woman how you feel.
Sam
Tell her, man.
I’m really afraid she’s going to hate me.
Annie
I would. Good luck.
The door unlocks and Tally comes back into our room, arms full of chips and chocolate bars. I put my phone down as soon as I see her. I can try again.
“I was thinking, can we talk about everything after tonight?” Tally asks as she hands me a chocolate-covered granola bar, my favorite. This is a truce, I think, or maybe a peace offering, even though she doesn’t need to be offering this.
I’m not mad at her at all; if anything, I’m mad at myself.
“We can talk after.” When I say it, I can picture us lying on our own beds, staring up at the ceiling and chatting late into the night like you would a roommate or sibling.
It won’t be like that.Because either she’ll be so thrilled that it’s me or she’ll be so mad that I’ll never see her again.
“Okay.” Tally smiles at me and opens a Kit Kat.
“Okay.” Okay? That’s what I said? Not my big confession? I am really screwing this up. “It will be good to talk.”
“Okay, then, it’s a date.” Her cheeks turn pink. “I mean, you know what I mean. So, what do you think is going to happen in this next book?” Tally changes the subject, and my window is gone.
* * *
My plan is a stupid one,but I’m committed now. Simone’s event is being held in one of the big conference rooms at the hotel across the street from where we are staying. Tally looks great—she’s wearing a dress I’ve never seen before, and I feel very underdressed in my joggers, which look slightly high-end but actually feel like sweats, and a T-shirt. I would change, but this is what I brought, so I’m going with it.
Tally ended up curling her hair and putting lipstick on, only to take it off because she said it didn’t make her feel like herself. Which is true; it was the only time I’ve ever seen her wear lipstick.
