Page 15 of Time Loops & Meet Cutes
“Maybe, by some magic, she does?”
“If so,” I say, “she might not approve of the fact that I’m single in my thirties. She might think I ought to settle down and get married and have kids. Not that I can do all those things if I’m stuck reliving a single day. But…”
“What is it?” Avery leans forward.
“I’ve been hoping to kiss someone. It ended the sleeping spell for Sleeping Beauty, so maybe it’ll end the time loop for me.” I can’t believe I just said that out loud, but here we are. “Unfortunately, my flirting skills leave a little—a lot—to be desired.”
“You have someone particular in mind?”
My cheeks heat as I think of his face. Embarrassed by my physical reaction, I duck my head before saying, “Yes.”
Avery grins. “Tell me about this person.”
“His name’s Cam. That’s about all I know. He, uh… He’s nice.” It seems like an empty word, but what more can I say? “He’s convenient. I know where to find him. I don’t expect anything more to happen, but I figure a kiss is worth a try.”
He won’t remember my failures, so if I make a fool of myself, it won’t matter. Much.
I’ll still remember. I remember silly things I did in elementary school, and that was twenty years ago. But to get out of this time loop, I’m going to have to take risks beyond getting a new haircut.
“Kissing Joe hasn’t gotten me out of this loop,” Avery says.
To be honest, I don’t like the sound of Joe very much. I think he—
That’s it!
It makes perfect sense, doesn’t it? Perhaps we both have to do something about our so-called love lives, but Avery, who seems rather unhappy with the boyfriend who forgot her birthday, has to dump hers, and I have to kiss someone new.
“What about… never mind,” I mumble.
“Do you have an idea to get me out of this?” she asks. “You have to tell me. There are no silly ideas right now.”
I hesitate. Not because I think it’s a silly idea, but because I’m unsure how she’ll react. “I think you should break up with Joe. Maybe breaking up with him… is what you need most,” I say, echoing the dumpling lady’s words. “My ex—for all his faults—never would have acted like Joe did if he forgot my birthday. I’m sure you can do better. Besides, being alone isn’t so bad.”
As soon as I say that, there’s a painful clench in my chest, but it’s not like I need someone else. My life was satisfactory before I started repeating the same day.
I suddenly remember that on the original June 20, I ruminated about being a bad engineering project held together by duct tape. I might be looking at the days when time moved forward with rose-tinted glasses, but at least I wasn’t sobbing on my kitchen floor because of a relationship.
“Joe’s a decent boyfriend,” Avery says.
“Aside from the birthday thing.”
“And the fact that he never cleans the washroom or thekitchen. It’s like he just doesn’t notice when anything’s dirty.” She sighs. “But you’re right. It’s worth a try.”
“If we ever get out of this, I’ll do something nice for your birthday. I promise. What would you want?”
“I don’t even know anymore, but not an e-card.”
“Two e-cards, then.”
She laughs. “I’ll text you after I do it. Let me know how your flirting goes.”
“I can’t see it going well. I asked if he wanted to go on a date tonight. When he inquired why it had to be tonight, I panicked and ran away. I’m no good at this.”
“Maybe you need to do some research.”
“Like, Google how to pick up a guy?”
“I was thinking more along the lines of watching movies to get ideas.”
