week, but at least I could be there and it could distract me from obsessing about wedding details.”
“Then you need to enjoy having this time off. I know it’s not for reasons you would want, but you might as well make the best of it. Go get a massage or something.”
“Now that’s an idea. Speaking of ideas, wouldn’t it be a good idea for call Cooper and tell him about the Dirt thing?” she said, giving me a look.
I sighed. “In theory, yes, it would. In reality, I just don’t know what to say.”
“I know, but that’s why this is the perfect excuse to call, and maybe it will break the ice. This is a really important reason to call him.”
I shook my head. “You’re right. You’re totally right. I just need to stop thinking about it and do it, and I will. On my way home.”
Katy and I stayed and chatted for a while longer, but I was distracted by thoughts of Cooper and the nervousness I felt at calling him, which was absolutely ridiculous. I mean, he was my boyfriend, had been for a while now. Yes, we had a slight disagreement, but all couples did, so what was I so afraid of?
Maybe a part of me was afraid of losing him as much as I was afraid of the whole marriage thing.
“Katy, what made you entirely confident that Chris was the one? You know, for marriage. For life,” I said, interrupting her as she had been talking about some more redecorating she wanted to do at the salon.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean just what I said. You two have had your share of ups and downs, so what actually was it that made you confident that this was the right decision?”
Katy sat there for a moment before she replied, and I found myself really anxious to hear her answer. Maybe it would give me some insight on what to do or help me understand why I was feeling the way I was.
With a soft smile, Katy said, “It took me a while to not be mad at myself for allowing him to treat me like crap and still take him back. After the last incident, I thought long and hard about why I did it. I was afraid it was my own insecurities or fear of being alone that compelled me to take him back all those times, but what I realized is that even with his flaws, I couldn’t imagine him not in my life. I can talk to him about anything, even when we’ve not been together we would talk and share. He’s been one of my best friends forever and I wouldn’t want to not have that.”
I thought for a minute about Cooper and I understood what she was getting at. He was the same to me. My best friend, my confidant. The person I texted several times a day with little anecdotes, or when I had a problem. I didn’t want to lose that.
“Presley, I know you’re in a tough spot right now with your feelings and what you want to do, but if I had to pick any guy out there for you, it would be Cooper. Just talk to him. You guys can work this out.”
She was right. “Look at what time it is, Katy. We’ve been gabbing forever. You better get moving if you’re going to get to the airport in time.”
She looked at her watch. “No kidding. I didn’t realize it was so late.”
We walked out into the sunshine and Katy hugged me. “Call him!”
“I will. As soon as I get in the car.”
“OK. I want a full report. I’ll call you later.”
“Have fun. Are you sure you don’t need a ride home?” I said.
“No. Chris is going to pick me up.”
“OK, talk to you later then.” She went back inside to wait for Chris and I just sat in my car, phone in hand. I went to favorites, where his name was first, and hit call. I wasn’t sure he wouldn’t just send it right to voicemail. But he didn’t. He answered on the third ring.
“Hello,” he said and while I couldn’t tell by his tone what he was thinking or feeling, the sound of his voice just made me melt a little as it always did.
“Hey, ” I said and then just sat there. Not knowing what I should say next. A long uncomfortable silence went by and Cooper was the first one to start
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