Gracie didn’t say anything for a minute but then covered my hand with hers. “No, you’ve got it wrong, Ri. You could never be clueless or screwed up. You are smart and dedicated and everything I want to be. You can’t be the same as the rest of us. I need something to aspire to, girlfriend,” she said in a mixture of teasing lightness and absolute sincerity.
I squeezed her hand. “You give me way too much credit, Gracie and you don’t give yourself enough.”
She squeezed back and that piece that had been broken started to slowly mend.
I was a nervous wreck. It was downright comical.
I was pacing back and forth in my room. I had changed my clothes three times before settling on a very un-Riley like black skirt and deep blue shirt. I had pulled my long, brown hair back into a low ponytail and even put on some makeup.
Because Garrett was coming over.
You heard that right. I had pulled out the thermoneculuer girl crazies over Garrett I Can Barely Get Myself Dressed Bellows.
As I was leaving Gracie’s house, my phone had started to ring. I glanced at the number that I had never bothered to program into my phone and recognized it instantly. I would never forget those digits even if I had at one time desperately wanted to.
“You answered,” Garrett said by way of greeting.
I laughed. “Well, I figured since I had nothing better to do.”
Garrett laughed as well. “At least your honest,” he said.
“It’s a character flaw. Sorry,” I teased, enjoying the easy banter that we had always been able to enjoy together.
“Definitely not a character flaw, Riley,” he said gently and I was once again taken aback by this soft and tender side of Garrett. I knew it was a side very few got to see. And I was thankful to be one of those individuals.
“So can I come over later?” he asked.
“To my apartment?” I asked, wishing like hell I would stop asking such moronic questions with such obvious answers.
Garrett made a snorting nose and I couldn’t stop grinning. “Well that is where you’re living these days, right?”
“Your wit is astounding, Garrett,” I replied. “You don’t want to go out? Get something to eat?” I suggested, hoping he took me up on the offer. For some reason the thought of sitting around my apartment with him made my nerves kick into overdrive.
I had been naked with this guy on two occasions. He had kissed and touched every single inch of me, but the thought of sitting beside him on my couch making small talk had me quivering like a preacher’s daughter in the backseat of her boyfriend’s car.
“I’d really like to spend time with you…alone. If that’s okay, I mean,” he sounded unsure and I knew my hesitance was the reason.
“No, that’ fine. I’d love for you to come over,” I said hurriedly, not wanting him to ever think I didn’t want to spend time with him. If I needed to spend the rest of my life reassuring him, then so be it.
“Great. I’ll bring food. Anything you’re in the mood for?” he asked, sounding more relaxed now that I’ve agreed to his plans.
“I’d kill for some Chinese. Sweet and sour chicken to be precise. Think you can arrange that?” I inquired coyly.
“Me hunter. Go kill food and bring it to woman,” he joked and I laughed. Who knew Garrett had such a sense of humor?
And that’s how I found myself three hours later, a bundle of jangled nerves and sweaty palms.
“When did Banana Republic Barbie move in?” Maysie asked coming to a stop as she walked passed my open bedroom door.
I held up my hand, stopping her. “Don’t. Just don’t. I feel like I’m going to vomit as it is. I don’t need your well intentioned jokes about my clothes.” Glancing at my reflection in the mirror I did look a little green.