Page 68 of October
“Maybe. Too much pressure to put on a puppy?”
“Probably,” Juliet answered.
“I think I’m going to do it, Jules. I have the number for the woman I need to contact. I don’t know how much longer Wells will be available.”
“Wells?”
“A lesbian named her,” she offered in explanation. “Anyway, you’re almost halfway through your crazy travel, and then, it’s home pretty much for good. How are you holding up?”
“I’m okay. I miss being home. This bed reallyistoo soft for me, and my back hurts, which won’t be fun for the drive home.”
“But you have a girlfriend willing to give you an all-body massage when you get there.”
“Yes, something to look forward to,” Juliet said. “But I want to hear more about Finley.”
Molly smiled and said, “We talked for almost two hours last night. It was amazing.”
“Yeah? So, it’s going well?”
“I think so. I’m trying to keep in mind that she likes me and I’m not holding her hostage on dates, but it’s still really weird to me that she would choose someone who made mac and cheese from the box and added hot dogs to it for dinner last night when she could have anyone else.”
Juliet laughed and said, “Shedoeslike you, Molls. I could see it that day at the game.”
“She bought me a jersey,” Molly offered.
“I know. How many times have you worn it since?”
“Only every night to bed. It smells like her a little because we sat next to each other. Maybe I’m just imagining it, but it does.”
Juliet laughed harder and replied, “I get that. Gwen gave me a T-shirt of hers to bring with me, and I’ve worn it to bed every night, too.”
“Gwen is your actual girlfriend, though.”
“Finley could be yours soon. When are you going out again?”
“Tonight, I think. We haven’t officially planned anything yet; we just said it yesterday. I asked her out for last night, but she said she had plans, so I figured I’d check today to see if we’re still on for tonight, at least.”
“What plans?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t ask. Maybe some nerdy computer building thing. Do they have competitions for that?”
“I have no idea,” Juliet said through her laughter.
“Well, I need to get inside, anyway. I’m going to be late for my meeting if I don’t head in now. I’m glad you’ll be home early, though, Jules.”
“Me too. Let’s plan to hang out, okay?”
“Yes, please,” she said, hoping that didn’t come off as too needy.
“Hey, you know you’re important to me, right? I know I’ve been busy with Gwen recently and traveling, but you–”
“I know, Jules. It’s just life, you know? And I need to get myself one so that I’m not relying on my friends to give me one. I’ve been doing better. I even went to the bar that night and met Ava. Oh, shit! Ava!” She clasped her hand over her mouth.
“I forgot all about her,” Juliet said.
“Me too. Fuck! Fuck! What am I supposed to do? She texted me the other day, and I saw it, but Finley was there, and I didn’t reply. Now, it’s been days. She probably thinks I’m ghosting her or something.”
“Just text her back and tell her you’ve been busy.”
