Chapter 27 Now chatting with Caleb
NOW CHATTING WITH CALEB
Pretty Girl
hi
Caleb
Hey, pretty girl.
Wanna do another sexy bedtime story?
actually
i wanted to get your opinion on something serious
Oh?
Of course. Tell me.
i think i need to break up with evan
…
I’m listening.
i don’t know
it just hit me tonight
at sunday dinner my brother said something to me that i can’t get out of my head
What did he say?
he told me that when you meet the right person
you don’t question it
you just know
And that made you think of Evan?
no
that’s the thing
when he said it
i thought of cal
and that’s insane
because i barely know him
Do you?
i mean
logically, no
but it feels like i do
Because you’re drawn to him.
Because your body and your mind already trust him.
but what if i’m being stupid
what if i’m throwing away years with evan for some… infatuation
Infatuation and love aren’t the same thing, pretty girl.
And what exactly are you holding onto with Evan?
i don’t know
the time we’ve spent together?
the idea of him?
The idea of who you thought he was.
Not who he actually is.
…
yeah
You already know he isn’t right for you.
You’ve known for a long time.
but what if i’m wrong about cal?
what if he’s just being nice to me because he feels bad for me?
or worse
what if he’s love bombing me?
That’s not what’s happening.
how do you know?
Because if he was, you’d feel like you owed him something.
You’d feel like he was trying to trap you.
Not like he was giving you a way out.
…
You’re not trapped anymore, Izzy.
You’re free to make whatever decision is best for you.
But you already know what that is.
i think i do
Good girl.
so i should just do it?
Yes.
but i should do it in person, right?
You owe him that much.
But you don’t owe him anything else.
yeah
okay
i’m going to call him tomorrow
set up a time to meet
and i’ll end it
I’m proud of you.
thanks
So, what about Cal?
what about him?
You’re about to be single.
Are you planning to do something about this feeling you have for him?
i don’t know
he’s my colleague
there’s technically no rule against dating someone in my position
but it’s… frowned upon
Do you care about that?
not really
but i don’t want to mess up my job either
or what if i’m reading this wrong?
You’re not.
but what if i am?
what if i break up with evan and then nothing happens with cal?
what if he doesn’t want me like that?
Would that change your decision to leave Evan?
no
Then it doesn’t matter.
You don’t leave one person because you think you have someone else waiting.
You leave because it’s the right thing for you.
yeah
you’re right
but also
what if it’s too soon?
Then it’s too soon.
And that’s okay.
You don’t have to rush into anything.
but i like him
I know.
But let me ask you something.
When’s the last time you were on your own?
…
i don’t know
That’s a problem, isn’t it?
maybe
You’ve spent so much time trying to be what other people want.
Maybe you should take some time to figure out who you are on your own.
but what if i waste time?
You think learning to love yourself is a waste of time?
…
no
Good girl.
You don’t need to jump from one relationship into another.
You should fall in love with yourself first.
And then when you do find the right person—you’ll recognize love when it’s real.
i guess that makes sense
Of course it does.
okay
can we do a sexy bedtime story now?
That’s my girl.