25. Chapter 25
Chapter 25
Lydia
W hen Luke leaves, I stand where I am for the longest time, unable to move. The full force of what I’ve done hits like a ton of bricks. I’ve been so obsessed with plans for matching Sheena, I’ve been blind to what is right there in front of me: the possibility of more slow dancing with the gorgeous Texan cowboy. I slump down onto one of the stools at the table, fold my arms, bury my head in them, and weep.
Laura knocks on the door. “Everything alright in there, Lydia?” she asks tentatively from the other side.
“Yes.” I lie. My voice is muffled in the shirtsleeves of my folded arms.
“Okay,” says Laura. “Just checking.” There’s a brief pause. Then she says, “Marty’s here. And I’m going out for lunch now. Can I get you something?”
“No. I’m fine. Thank you, Laura.” I wipe tears from my eyes with the back of my hands. “I’m just tidying up in here. I’ll be out in a minute, okay?”
I sit up and blink away the remaining tears. Then I hunt for a Kleenex in my purse. I can’t face anyone just now. The thought of being in the store, wishing happy Valentine’s Day to loved-up customers, twists a knot of pain in my stomach. I’m nauseous. I’m miserable. I want to die. I find my phone and dial Molly’s number.
“Molly,” I sniff.
“Yes.”
“I messed up. Big time.” I sigh heavily and slump forward onto the workroom table again.
“Hello, Lydia.” Molly’s voice is even and sensible. Just what I need. “Wait one sec. I’m just walking to my office.” I hear her saying something, then a door closing and noises of furniture being moved. “Tell me. What happened?”
I take a deep breath and launch into my sad tale of woe. My friend doesn’t interrupt me as I retell the day’s disaster, and what should have been the most romantic coffee date imaginable at The Half Moon Café.
“The more I tried to explain things to him, the more I sounded completely mad. Everything that came out of my mouth just dug a deeper hole for me to jump into. And the worst thing of all is…” I choke on a sob. “I really like Luke.” I whimper. “I’ve blown any chance for me and him now.” I start crying again. “I hate myself. I’m so stupid.”
“You’re not,” says Molly in her soft, kind way. “You’re a wonderfully romantic idealist who wants everyone to be happy and in love.”
“That’s not how Luke sees me. He thinks I’m a crazed manipulative witch, whose only motivation in getting couples together is, that it’s good for business and hopefully, according to him, they’ll get married, and I’ll get rich doing the flowers at their wedding. Wah!” Tears pour down my face.
“Gosh, Lydia.” Molly’s tone changes to high-pitched harsh. “Is that what you’ve really been up to this whole time?”
“Molly!” I cough and choke and sniff shocked at my friend’s question. “How could you think that of me?”
“Relax, friend,” Molly says. “I’m just teasing.”
“Well don’t. I’m not up to it.” I slump. “My heart is broken. I’m a big hot mess. And I’m so embarrassed.”
“Ah, Lydia. I did try to warn you.” There’s a pause in conversation then Molly asks, “Does Sheena know?”
“No. No, I don’t think so. When I saw her after she left the café, she wasn’t interested in listening to what I had to say because she was too excited about her romantic Valentine’s date with Gary, from Gary’s Kitchens and Bathrooms.”
“Oh my!” Molly exclaims. “Gary?”
“I know. He’s about the most unattractive man I can think of…”
“No, wait. There are more unattractive men than Gary from Gary’s Kitchen and Bathrooms. I can think of a whole bunch.”
“True. Yes. You’re right. But Molly, we’re off topic here.” I slide off the stool and walk to where the cupcakes nestle beautifully under the plastic dome. At any other time, I might be tempted by the delicious, pink-frosted sweet treat. “Molly. I think I’ve learned a vital and important lesson.” I reassess my decision to resist a cupcake, lift the lid, and pull one from the stack.
“What’s that?”
“There’s no accounting for taste.” I bite into the soft, vanilla sponge and lick the raspberry jam that oozes out and threatens to plop onto the floor. “We think Gary is maybe a four or five.”
“He’s no looker, that’s for sure. I’d go with three,” says Molly. “But alright, a four on a good day when he has just had a haircut and trimmed his mustache.”
“Well, Sheena thinks he’s a ten. Possibly higher if you heard the way she was talking about him earlier.”
“What he lacks in physical attributes he makes up for in personality, maybe?” says Molly.
“Yes, you’re right. Gary probably has some excellent qualities, but my point is…”
“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder?”
“Exactly. One size does not fit all and… I thought I was good at matching people.” I take another bite into the squishy butter frosting which tastes like romance is supposed to feel. “I’m never going to do that again.” The words are stifled in a mouthful of sticky sweet cupcake.
“Sorry, Lydia. I missed that last bit.”
I swallow my mouthful and shout into my phone, “I AM NEVER MATCHMAKING EVER AGAIN.”
“That’s what I thought you said.” Molly laughs down the line.
“Hey, do you want to come over to Blossoms? I have cupcakes to trade for a hug.”
“Of course. And you don’t need to bribe me with cupcakes. I give free hugs, whenever I can, to miserable friends who have messed up, big time. I’ll see you soon.”