Page 41 of Best Year Ever
I can’t disagree with that. “Yeah.”
“Uh, huh,” she says. “And it was good when y’all hooked up? Like he knew what he was doing?”
“Maggie, I had multiples both nights,” I whisper. “Besteverfor me.”
“Enough said,” she says, grinning at my words.
“My aunt gave me a bit of a lecture when she visited in March,” I say. “Can I ask you another question?”
“Of course.”
“Do you think I should be more open to something? I mean, with anyone, not necessarily Landon.”
Maggie hums. “But we’re talking about Landon really, right?”
Trust your bestie to see right through you.
“Okay, yes. I mean, I don’t think he is a commitment guy, but I haven’t even been open to keeping the door open to hooking up again. I’ve been trying to keep locked in on my tennis.”
“Sure, I get it.” Maggie nods. “It’s relentlessly needy, tennis. Stage five clinger.”
I laugh at that. “So true. But anyway, I’ve been sitting here thinking how much talking with Landon has made me feel better, more relaxed, during the last few weeks—not distracted. It isn’t hurting my tennis at all. I don’t know why I thought it would.”
“Yeah, me neither,” Maggie says. She watches me digest our conversation for a moment and then asks, “So are you going to see Landon again sometime soon?”
I shake my head. “No, that was part of the things we weren’t going to do. Make plans. Last time was supposed to be another one night only situation.”
“And what do you want, sitting here today?” she asks in a leading tone.
“I want to make plans? To try to see him while we’re in Florida?”
“Well, there you go,” she repeats.
Okay. Now this isverynew.
We’re both silent for a moment, and then Maggie cannot resist embarrassing me.
“Rori likes a boyyyyy, RO-REE likes a boyyyyy,” she sings.
Seven hours later, I walk into my house, leaving my bags in the entryway to deal with later. Since it’s still late afternoon here, the Florida sunshine is bursting through the windows in every direction. A welcome return from Europe.
Having run out of steam from the trip, I crash down on my living room sofa, which is next level comfortable despite the small size of the space. Reflecting on the chat with Maggie, I play with my phone. Landon’s last message was from right after my loss yesterday.
NEW YEARS: You gave it your best. Be proud.
I fiddle my fingers around on the keys, considering my options.I want to make plans.
That isnotwhat I text him.
RORI: Hi.
About ten seconds go by and then I get a reply.
NEW YEARS: Hi, you heading back to the states?
RORI: I’m already here. Just got to my house. The one in Tampa.
He puts a heart emoji on that statement but doesn’t say anything back.
