Page 37 of Memories By the Shore
I’m halfway through my food when I finally message the girls.
Me: Another day in paradise and another day without a divorce.
Bailey: I’m glad you texted us. We were all trying to give you space.
Piper: It’s only been one day. Give it some time. What happened?
Lina: Sorry to hear there’s no divorce, but also not sorry.
Lina will say she’s not a hopeless romantic, but secretly, she’s always rooting for love.
Me: Oh, Lina. It’s not like that.
Lina: Keep telling yourself that every time you look at that infinity tattoo on your wrist.
Bailey: Tell us how it’s going.
Me: He basically avoided the topic altogether.
Me: Then, this morning, I ran into one of his best friends, who mentioned that he was not surprised that Jasper was avoiding it.
Piper: Because he still loves you.
Lina:YEP.
Me: You guys are so far from the truth. I’m engaged to Dave. Jasper and I had our shot, and it ended horribly.
Bailey: I don’t know. If he’s pushing you off, maybe he isn’t ready to give you up yet.
Me: He gave me up a long time ago.
Piper: Maybe it just wasn’t your time.
My friends are not helping the situation. Jasper and I were over years ago, and even though the flame he ignited within me will never entirely go out, I know there is no future with us. This chapter needs to close.
Me: I’m texting you all for help, and all you’re doing is making things worse. lol
Piper: Okay, okay. We’re sorry. How about changing up your approach?
Bailey: That’s not a bad idea.
Me: I did go in a little aggressive yesterday.
Lina: Try again with a different tone.
I slump down into the soft cushions on the couch and tap out a response because they might be on to something.
Me: Okay, see, this is the type of advice I’m looking for. Thanks.
Lina: Haha. Took us a minute to catch on!
Bailey: Get it, girl.
Piper: Good luck.
If Jasper is going to make this hard on me, I can’t approach him with the mindset that he’s changed, because even though he’s sitting behind that big desk as mayor, he’s still the same surfer guy who lived in board shorts and ate way too many fish tacos. I need to play his game like I used to.
Armed with a new view of how to get what I want, I scroll through my phone and click on a phone number I haven’t called in years. With each ring, the knot in my throat gets bigger until I hear his voice on the other end.
