A New Love

Eleven

Joy swiveled around in my chair. I had invited her to come over for a few hours after Harry left. The apartment was too quiet without him.

"How was the club last night?" She waggled her eyebrows and grinned. "Did you meet any cute guys?"

"I did, but I don't think I'm ready to start something so soon after breaking up with Alex. I'm still trying to sort out those feelings." Plus, those types of guys you meet at a club aren't exactly dating material.

Joy groaned, spinning in the chair. Her annoyed expression swiveled back towards me. "He won't stop calling me! He goes on and on about how he was stupid and to convince you to talk to him. His constant bitching is starting to get on my nerves. No offense," she added as an afterthought.

I nodded. "He started leaving voicemails and a lot of text messages, but if I reply, it will only encourage him." The part of me that missed the familiarity was overshadowed by my need to stand my ground and follow through with my feelings. It also showed me that I didn't fully allow myself to open my heart to him. Shouldn't I be more devastated about the breakup? Maybe I had already been looking for an excuse to split up.

She scrunched up her nose. "I can't believe he thought you and Harry had a thing." She paused, a finger tapping against her lips. "Now that I think about it, you guys would make a great couple," she mumbled mostly to herself. "Regardless, the fact that he freaked out over nothing made me lose all respect I had for him."

"Harry actually kept me from making a mistake with some rando I was dancing with." I bit my lip. "Can I tell you something? But please don't make a big deal out of it though."

She moved onto the bed with me. "Oh my gosh! You do have a thing with Harry. I knew it!" Shy fist pumped.

"What? No, I don't," I shook my head.

She raised an eyebrow studying me. "But you do want one. Don't you?" she asked accusingly.

"I've been having dreams about him," I relented. Goosebumps erupted along my arms as I thought about them.

She gasped. "Tell me!"

I bit my lip before delving into them.

"That doesn't seem like a thing you do if you aren't attracted to someone else," Joy said with a smirk after I finished describing the dreams.

"That's what I'm worried about. Like I said it is too soon to get involved with someone else." I didn't want to latch onto someone so quickly. I needed time for myself.

She got off my bed and stretched. "You better get things sorted out ASAP. Before things get complicated. And they always do." She wagged a polished finger at me.

"Yeah. I better." Was there anyway to avoid making things awkward for us? Something told me there wasn't. "I should get ready for work."

She hopped off the bed. "Alright. I'll text you later. Let me know if anything juicy happens," she winked.

I fought the urge to roll my eyes. "Okay. Bye."

I sat down cross-legged in the middle of my bed and checked the time. I had an hour until my shift.

I put on my uniform and went to the bathroom to do my makeup, leaving my phone to charge in my room. I hummed under my breath while I braided my hair back and tied the end with a hair tie. I headed back into my bedroom and grabbed the stuff I needed before heading out. Hopefully the traffic wouldn't be too bad.

***

"It is finally time to take my lunch," I announced to Chris. I grabbed my water bottle, sliding my sunglasses over the bridge of my nose. Our other coworker helped the guests exit the ride.