Page 22 of Paradigm

“I don’t want that, either.”

“Can I call you?”

“Of course, you can call me.”

“Okay. Well, I should go, then. I don’t want him trying to leave and get in a car or something.”

“I’ll sit here and finish my coffee,” Eline said. “Thank you for this, by the way.”

“Yeah, no problem.” Arlowe stood up. “Eline, I–” She swallowed hard. “Just… I’ll call you.”

“I’ll be waiting,” Eline replied with a smile.

Arlowe didn’t want to leave her there, but she couldn’t stay right now, either, so she smiled back, turned, and left for the office. When she got there, she quickly handled the Travis issue, making sure he had a ride home since he was at least drunk, if not also high, and after that was all done, she found her three best friends sitting in her office, eagerly waiting for a report.

“Well?” Enya asked.

“She’s still beautiful and makes my heart dance,” she revealed, flopping back in her chair.

“And?” Sarai asked.

“And what?”

“And is she married? In a relationship? Dating? Single?” Violet asked.

“I–” Arlowe stopped. “I don’t know.”

“You didn’t ask?!” Sarai questioned.

“I don’t think she is. She said she lives in an apartment – by herself, I believe – and she didn’t mention moving with anyone or having anyone back in Holland.”

“But you didn’t confirm?” Violet asked.

“No. We… got caught up, I guess.”

“Idiot,” Sarai said with a little laugh.

“Well, what happens now?” Enya asked.

“I told her I’d call her. I would’ve stayed, but fucking Travis.”

“When are you going to call her?” Violet asked.

“Is now too soon?” she asked back.

CHAPTER 8

“Hey, I’m glad you called,” Marti told her when she sat down next to her.

“You are? I expected you to be busy for the next several weeks.”

Eline smiled over at her possible new friend.

Marti laughed and said, “Yeah, well…”

“Well, what? You said in your text that you and Marissa were going to try again.”

“We are. We did. I mean, we are.”