The Difference

Chapter 2

"Thank God we are finally 21!" Ava says to me, raising her Cosmopolitan to my Mojito with a clink.

"I know," I say back, giving her a smile. "We've been through so much together! We've been friends for nearly ten years now!"

"We are so old," Ava says, laughing. My phone vibrates and I look down. "What is it, Rosemary?"

"Just Eric," I say, reading the messages intently.

"Let me guess, he's talking about his ex," Ava says, swirling her drink in her glass.

"Yeah, something about how she texted him to catch up. He's not too happy about it,"

Ava cuts me off as she flags down our waitress. "Can we get another round of drinks?" She flashes me a smile and says, "We're going to need them."

"He's mad because it's been months and she's just now reaching out. He's acting like he doesn't care anymore but you know how he is. Of course, he cares. He essentially pretended like the whole thing never happened so now he's finally coming to terms with it," I roll my eyes.

"And now it hurts," Ava raises her drink and takes a sip from it. "Hurts like hell," She adds.

"Exactly," I say, joining her.

"So, why does he tell you all of this? I mean, when did you guys even cross the line of being coworkers to friends and now whatever you are?" She questions. Our waitress drops off our drinks and I'm grateful to have something cold between my hands as the temperature in the room seems to rise by the minute.

"We just got so close, so quickly. It didn't even matter that we worked together because we were constantly hanging out anyways. Things were going downhill in both of our relationships and when we both broke things off around the same time, we seemed okay because we were falling for one another. The only thing is, he never really caught me. I feel like I do all I can to make sure he's happy and he does the same for me, but I don't think he really sees me in the same light. Still, I've never had a guy be so sweet to me and believe in me so much and cheer me on and never judge me," I finish with a sigh.

"He's the nicest guy I know," Ava reassures me.

"I know. So I don't get it. I don't get why he doesn't make a move or something," I pout.

"Well, you are older, maybe you need to do it."

I give her a glare for bringing up age again. "Besides the fact that I'm THREE MONTHS older, that's impossible. I am so hopeless when it comes to making the first move in relationships. Remember how stubborn I was with Kade? We didn't kiss until 6 months into our- well, whatever that was,"

"A mistake is what it was," Ava adds as we burst out laughing together. "And what about the guy you see-"

"In my dreams?" I cut her off.

"Yeah. I mean, is he a real person or?"

"Ava, I wish I knew. All I know is I'm in this marvelous pink gown, my hair is pulled into a braid crown and my makeup is done flawlessly. I'm on a dance floor surrounded by people I don't know and all I want to do dance with this perfect-"

"Prince?" She chimes in.

"I don't know if he's a prince!"

"But he looks like one?"

"Yes, he looks like one."

"In what way?" Ava asks, setting down her drink and crossing her hands in front of her.

"I don't know... his eyes.. they were just so kind. They were light, but his hair was dark. And he was tall, I mean, tall to me because I'm pretty short, but. I don't know, it sounds dumb," I say, shaking my head and looking down.

"No, it doesn't! Hey, look at me," Ava commands. "You are nothing short of a princess so I have no choice but to believe your dream guy ... literally.. is a prince! Besides, you've always been intuitive. Maybe it's a sign."

"Thanks, Ava," I say, noticing my phone is buzzing again.

"I don't want to jump the gun or anything, but.. what if it's Eric? I mean, they look similar, don't they?" she says, sure of herself.

"Yeah, they look kind of similar," I note. We both pause and I take a long sip of my drink.

"So, maybe you're exactly where you're meant to be," Ava says, pleased.

"You think?"

"Absolutely. Why else would you have dreams about a guy like Eric if the universe wasn't trying to tell you something? You just have to be patient, I mean, look at The Little Mermaid, duh! She has a Prince Eric, too!"

I giggle as I notice the alcohol is getting to the both of us.

"I'm going to call us an Uber," I say, grabbing my drink. "But first, I'm going to finish this!" Ava laughs and takes out her phone, probably drunk texting one of her exes. I try to find a number for a ride, forgetting that I ran out of data. "Damn it," I mumble, noticing Ava is now flirting with the bartender. I go into panic mode, and use the phone at the bar to call the only number I can think of right now.

"Hello?" Eric says through the phone.

"Hey, oh my god, thanks for answering," I say quickly.

"Wait. Rosemary? Is everything okay?"

"I went to call an Uber but I don't have data, can you just give me a number to call and then-" I let out a huge yawn, stopping my sentence. Eric says nothing. "Hello? Wait, what was I saying?"

Ava chimes in, "Tell Eric I said hi!" and I can't help but start to laugh as she begins to wave at the phone.

"Rosemary!" He yells through the phone.

"Yes?" I respond.

"Where are you?"

"We're downtown, Eric. Relax, I just need you to get me a number to call for a ride home," I say, trying to be serious.

"Where, downtown?"

"Uhh. Kelly's."

"Okay, hang tight." He says, hanging up.

"What? I'm so... Ava...!" I stop talking to the lonely phone line and join Ava who is now helping the bartender make drinks.

"He said I could help!" She yells, excitedly. "So, what can I get you? I'll put it on his tab," she says pointing to the bartender. I get her from the other side of the bar and lead her outside to wait.

"Do we have a ride?" She asks.

"Uh. I think so," I say, taking a seat at one of the tables outside.

"You got us an Uber, right?"

"Something like that," I say, the cold air making me sober up a bit. Ava plops down beside me.

"Good because I just want to go home with my best friend and not worry about boys anymore! We have to finish off girls' night right!" Ava says.

Just then, Eric pulls up alongside the curb where our table is. I look at Ava nervously. Then I fake a smile.

"Okay! Girls' night needs to be put on hold for now. Got it?" I say, doubtfully.

"Why does that car look familiar?" Ava says, ignoring my speech. Eric hops out of his spotless black Audi RS5.

"Are you sure your dream was about a prince and not a knight in shining armor?" Ava says, jumping up clumsily and climbing into the backseat without acknowledging Eric.

He closes the door after Ava and walks over to me at the table, alone.

"Drunk?" He asks, trying not to smile. I shake my head and say, "no."

"Cold?" He asks, expecting me to lie again. "Yes," I say, standing up.

He does a single glance at my outfit and smiles, yet says nothing. "Did you have fun?" He questions.

"Oh yeah!"

"Good," He motions toward the car and I follow him. I check on Ava and she is half asleep in the back seat. Eric notices too, laughing.

"Guess it's just you and me," he comments, giving me another one of his signature smiles.