Chapter 29
Chapter
Twenty-Nine
Hadley: Are we still on for manis today? 3 p.m.?
Jasmine: Can’t wait!
Natalie: Can we make it 6? I have to work.
Hadley: So many jobs! How do you do it all?
Natalie: I hate to impose, but can one of you give me a ride home after?
Jasmine: Sure! Herbie and I are happy to drive everyone.
“This is amazing.” Jasmine sighs, a serene smile on her face. “Seriously, just what I needed.”
She opted for a foot soak and pedicure instead of a manicure. Apparently, the gloves she wears in the lab are hard on nail polish. I sit beside her in my chair, my own feet soaking in a bubbling basin of warm water. It’s divine, and the most pampering I’ve ever experienced.
I didn’t tell Jasmine and Hadley, but this is the first time I’ve gotten a professional pedicure. Sarah and I would do each other’s nails at the kitchen table, and we got pretty good at French tips and even some designs. But it’s such a frivolous expense—not something I’d do on my own. Hadley gave me the gift certificate, so I don’t feel guilty about that, but even finding the time was difficult.
I sigh. It’s awesome to be with these girls, but it makes me wish Sarah was here, too. A pang of longing hits me. It sounds cliche, but Sarah used to be my closest friend. And then Toby broke her heart, leaving her alone with Jace. He’s my favorite person in the world, but being his mom forced Sarah to grow up at eighteen. Child support covers very little. She started working, then a year later I started college, and neither of us made the effort to hang out.
I guess I just stopped doing fun things for myself. I have my blog as an outlet, and I love it, but it’s pretty solitary. This is the most social I’ve been in my college experience.
“So.” Turning her head, Jasmine gives me a wicked grin. “How was your night with Hunter?”
“Ew!” Hadley’s on the other side of me in her own padded chair, also getting her feet pampered. “No sex talk about my brother!”
I jerk my head in her direction and give Jasmine a faux-sad shrug. “Sorry, must protect his sister’s delicate sensibilities.”
“It’s my gag reflex you should be worried about,” she mutters, glaring and crossing her arms over her chest. “Gross.”
Jasmine throws her hands up in the air. “Fine, but you’re making girl talk really hard. Can’t you just not listen for a second?”
I glance at Hadley out of the corner of my eye, and she obliges by plugging her fingers in her ears and humming.
“I can tell you that Hunter is a perfect gentleman and—” And I’m falling in love with him? It was the best night of my life? I can’t say that out loud. I stumble over my words. “And, um, I’m very happy.”
My mind flashes back to our time together Friday night, and my heart beats faster in my chest. The way he treated me like I was precious but not fragile. The connection we shared. Like my body knew his on a deeper level and things just clicked.
I sat by him on the bus ride back to Lafayette last night. It was hard to keep my hands off him, but it also felt totally right to be beside him, chatting, watching cat videos and Mock the Week, just hanging out. There was nothing awkward between us. The guys on the team didn’t seem to notice anything, either.
I can’t stop thinking about Hunter. I want to be with him constantly. But I haven’t seen him since we said goodbye yesterday. After I looked at my schedule this week—work, projects, an Advanced Accounting test to study for—I’m not sure when I can pencil him in. We’ll be together at hockey practice and the gala on Saturday, of course, but I’ll be working. Not there as his date.
I need to get my feelings in check so they don’t become obvious to everyone. Because I’m not ready to tell Hunter yet what I know in my heart—I’m falling for him.
Jasmine raises a brow, like she knows that’s not the whole truth, but she lets it go and turns to Hadley, motioning at her to take her fingers out of her ears.
“Hadley, are you bringing a date to the gala?”
Hadley drums her nails on the arm of her chair. “I haven’t decided yet. I’m kinda seeing someone, but I don’t think I want to introduce him to my dad and Hunter.”
“What?” Jasmine’s question comes out a shriek, and I jolt in surprise, too. That’s news to me.
“You’re seeing someone?” I ask. “When did that happen?”
She waves her hand as if it’s unimportant. “Oh, I met a guy at a party. We’ve been talking for a few weeks now. But god, Hunter will go all overprotective big brother on me, and my dad will think it’s more serious than it really is if I bring him. So I don’t know.”
“Will you at least tell us his name? What’s he like?” Jasmine practically bounces in her chair.
Hadley waggles her eyebrows. “He’s in a band.”
“No!” Jasmine fans herself. “That’s so hot.”
I frown. “Unless he plays the accordion. Or the kazoo. The tuba?”
“Don’t worry—guitar.” Hadley gives a satisfied smile. “He’s talented. Music major. Very artsy and deep.”
She sighs, like that’s the pinnacle of attraction. But Jasmine purses her lips.
“Is he scrawny? Not to be shallow, but ‘artsy and deep’ is only used to describe skinny guys. I used to think I didn’t like muscles”—she gives me a knowing look— “until I dated a hockey player. Now I can’t go back to scrawny.”
I can’t contain my laugh. “I feel the same way.”
Hadley sticks out her tongue at me. “Nope, none of that. We’re not going to talk about my brother.” She turns to Jasmine. “And no, he’s not scrawny. He’s perfectly proportioned. I don’t like too many muscles, anyway. Jocks aren’t my type.”
“That’s what I thought until I tried it,” Jasmine says so only I can hear her. I snort and look away when Hadley eyes me.
“Hunter definitely doesn’t need to know about this guy.” Hadley points at me, glaring.
I shrug.“Look, I won’t lie to him. But if it doesn’t come up, I don’t see why I need to say anything.” I mime zipping my lips, and she nods.
“So have you figured out your classes for next semester? What are you testing out?” Jasmine asks Hadley, cocking her head.
Hadley lists things on her fingers. “Computer Science, because the T.A. is hot. Intro to Business, in case I like that. Mass Com, um, Western Civ, and a theater and stagecraft class.”
“Wow, that’s a nice variety.”
“Hopefully it gives me some direction. This elementary education thing is not what I expected.”
“Kids are cute but a lot of work.” Both their eyes swivel to me, so I explain. “My nephew, Jace. He’s five. I love him more than life itself, but I can’t imagine a room full of kids like him.”
I shudder at the thought, and Jasmine and Hadley laugh. They continue chatting about classes and majors. I let the conversation wash over me, enjoying the moment with them. It’s so relaxing, sitting and catching up with friends.
A pang of guilt hits me, making my stomach cramp. It’s been great, but I don’t have time for this. I don’t have room in my schedule to maintain these relationships. Just like with Sarah. I want to hang out with her and renew our friendship. She’s my sister, but she used to be my best friend. We live together, but I never see her. I don’t want us to drift any farther apart.
Because of our schedules, I don’t see that changing soon. How can I make time for both my family and my friends? And can I make time for Hunter?