2.
“I can’t believe you actually did it,” Leanne said giddily as she poured Emma a refill on her coffee, as well as one for herself.
“No,” Emma sighed, “I can’t either...”
Emma had driven straight across town to see her best friend less than an hour after Dale left and now they were in the coffee house where Leanne worked on weekends. Emma had always liked the place; it was homey and welcoming, and if there was anywhere she had to be after a bad break-up, it would be there. She could sink back into the big, comfortable couches, turn off her cell phone and relax while enjoying some people watching. When Leanne was working, she didn’t have to worry about outstaying her welcome. The other staff barely seemed to notice her as she sat cradling her cappuccino and staring out the window as she watched the world go by.
“So how did he take it?” Leanne sat down on the arm of the couch and rubbed Emma’s shoulder.
“Not great,” she sighed. “In fact, he made me feel terrible.”
“He was a jerk, Em,” Leanne said, getting to her feet. “Don’t feel guilty, you just didn’t work… You both want different things.”
“I guess,” Emma said. “I know you’re right. I just hate feeling like this, you know?”
“Sure,” Leanne smiled. “But you did the right thing, you couldn’t keep ignoring how you felt… He was never going to commit all the way, and he seemed to just think he could string you along…”
“Yeah.” Emma smiled meekly as she wiped a tear from the corner of her eye.
“Come on,” Leanne smiled. “Not only that, but now we’re free to let loose a bit.” She wiggled her eyebrows, and Emma couldn’t help but smile.
“Oh, God,” Emma rolled her eyes. “I dread to think what you have in mind…”
“Well, I’m not telling. You’ll just have to trust me.”
Leanne grinned and turned on her heel before making her way back to the counter and picking up her notebook and pen. It was nearly 5pm and it was getting busy in there. Emma let herself sink further into the couch, and she turned so her back was to the majority of the room. She didn’t want to risk seeing someone she knew who might ask how Dale was doing and where he was. That would be the last thing she needed, along with all of the awkward questions that would follow…
She sipped her drink and closed her eyes. It had been a long, emotionally draining day. All she wanted to do was go home and crawl into bed, but at the same time she wasn’t sure if she was ready to be alone. She opened her eyes and looked around. She noticed all of the happy couples sitting at the adjacent tables and she felt a small pang of jealousy. She had never wanted to end up single again, but she knew she had to be honest and true to herself, and Dale was never going to be the one.
On the table in front of her was a magazine aimed at women just her age. It was glossy and the cover had a gorgeous stick-thin model splashed across it with big, juicy, pouting lips. She opened it up and her eyes were instantly drawn to a two-page spread on dating for millennials. She shuddered at the thought.
Me, dating… she thought. I wouldn’t even know what to do.
It had been such a long time since she had dipped her toe in the dating pool, she hadn’t even heard of half of the things that were listed in the magazine’s guide. Out of nowhere there were apps for meeting people around you or by similar interest, there were hook-ups and hot-or-nots. It all seemed so scary and intimidating. Emma closed the magazine and threw it back on the table.
That is not for me, she thought. I think I’d rather stay single forever.
She picked up her coffee and finished it before getting to her feet. She swung her purse over her shoulder and made her way to the counter.
“I’m going to get going,” she said to Leanne.
“Okay, hon,” Leanne smiled and kissed her on the cheek. “What are your plans for tomorrow?”
She hadn’t even thought about it. The weekend loomed ahead, empty and terrifying.
“I don’t know,” she replied, “For once, I have absolutely nothing planned.”
“Good,” Leanne slapped her hands together. “I’ll be at your place at eight tomorrow night. I’ll bring some wine and we can have a few drinks before hitting the town.”
“Seriously?” Emma groaned. “I don’t think I’m ready to go out and be sociable.”
“What happened to restarting your life?” Leanne demanded. “That’s all you’ve talked about since you decided a few weeks ago that you were going to dump Dale, and now you’re backtracking.”
“I know, but…”
“No buts,” Leanne snapped. “This is exactly what you need, and I’m not taking no for an answer.”
Emma nodded her head and smiled. Although Leanne could be harsh with her and sometimes hard work, she did know how to bring her around and make her feel better.
“Okay,” Emma agreed, “I’ll see you at eight… Where are we going? What should I wear?”
“Don’t worry about that now,” Leanne grinned. “We can sort that out tomorrow. Just leave it to me.” She nodded at Emma with wide, confident eyes. “Now go home, get into bed, do your crying if you need to, and tomorrow you’ll be a new person and we’ll never speak about Dale again, okay?”
“Okay,” Emma smiled as she saluted her. “Thanks, Leanne. I appreciate it.”
“I know you do.” She tapped the cash register and it pinged. “Now go on, I don’t want to have to tell you twice.”
Emma laughed as she turned and walked towards the door, waving over her shoulder as she went.