Page 17 of Maybe, Probably (Love Me, Maybe #1)

“Oh.” I sarcastically laugh, “I sure as fuck did. I let it slip and tried to take the words back. At that point though, he encouraged me to share more.”

“And you went ahead, didn’t you?” Evie is holding back tears from laughter at this point. I’m glad someone is enjoying my misfortunes.

“You know damn well I did!” I exclaim, my hands raking through my hair.

“And then you know what he said after all that?” I stop and turn my body to face my best friend, who just rotates her hand in a go on motion.

“He says he has a great plan! That we should date ! DATE! Not the,” I raise my hands to form air quotes.

“Romantic-I’m-interested-in-you way,” I sigh.

“He wants to fake-date so his parents get off his back and I can stick it to Dalton.” I snort, remembering how Xavier refused to call Dalton by his actual name.

“This is ridiculous, right? I should text him right now and tell him no.” I reach for my bag and begin searching for my phone. Before I can make any progress there are two palms on each of my shoulders.

“First. Take a breath. You’re panicking. Follow my breathing.” She takes a deep inhale. Lifting my head, I take a deep inhale. Then she slowly blows it out, and I follow suit. We do that a couple more times before she loosens the grip on my shoulders and lets go, taking a step back. “Better?”

I nod.

She returns my nod. “Good. Okay, now secondly. You should do it.”

My mouth drops open. I didn’t hear her correctly. I couldn’t have, because if I did… She just suggested I go through with this whole thing.

“I’m sorry. What?”

Evie huffs out a sigh, rolling her eyes. “Oh please, you heard me babes. You should do it. He’s hot, you’re hot.” I snort and Evie gives me a pointed glare. “Stop it. Don’t act like you aren’t hot.”

“I mean… Sure if you like all this.” I sarcastically say as I run my hands up and down my body, leaning into all my insecurities.

“Don’t talk about my best friend like that. She’s smart, gorgeous and any guy should get on their knees before her. If you were into girls, I would totally make you forget all about men.” She ends with a smirk on her lips.

“Oh for fuck’s sake Evie,” I chuckle. Playfully I shove her shoulder, shaking my head.

Evie came out as bisexual just after high school.

She has no shame about it and will blatantly hit on any man or woman, whether they're straight or not. She doesn’t sleep around.

She just likes to flirt. I’ve only seen Evie in one serious relationship, if you could call it that.

She distanced herself from me, the longer they were together the less I saw her.

Until she showed up on my door in the middle of the night telling me it was over.

Part of me wonders if it impacted the way she sees herself when it comes to relationships.

“You know I’m serious, babes! But I digress. What better way to get back at that cheating fucker than to show up at Thanksgiving dinner, unannounced, with Dalton and Chloe at the same table. I would love to be the fly on the wall when that happens.”

“That sounds like a terrible idea.” I laugh.

Evie shrugs. “Eh, maybe.”

I give her a look.

We both burst into laughter. I link my arm in hers and we pile into our rideshare.

We sit in silence for the little time it takes to get back to my place. I let my forehead rest on the cool window, to ease some of the heat and the oncoming headache that’s sure to happen. Then next thing I know, I’m being nudged awake by Evie, telling me we’re home.

I shuffle out of the vehicle and we head inside. It feels weird being home without Winnie. He’s only been in my life for a short period, but that furry creature already fills my heart with so much joy. Once through the door we kick off our shoes and I lock the front door.

“I’m going to go get us some water.” Evie mumbles, shuffling in the direction of the kitchen.

I head the opposite way to the bedroom. Walking into the en-suite, I quickly wash off my make-up and brush my teeth.

I strip out of my clothes and pull the band t-shirt and shorts from last night back on.

I pass by Evie, letting her get ready while I set up the TV .

Crawling under the duvet of my bed, I groan in satisfaction at the softness of the sheets.

It feels like I’m being wrapped up in the warmest hugs when I cozy under them.

I grab the remote, taking a moment to pull up a streaming app on TV while I wait for Evie.

Grabbing my phone off the nightstand, I begin to scroll through social media.

As I’m scrolling, I land upon a photo of a rustic bar top with two drinks on it—one with hues of red and a lime on the rim, the other holds a dark amber liquid.

I instantly know these are our drinks from tonight, and my suspicion is confirmed when I see that it’s his account.

He’d posted the photo with the caption: 'Here’s to new beginnings. ’

I smile to myself, but let it quickly fade because I can’t get my hopes up. It can’t mean anything. We literally just met.

But I can’t help the slight flutter my heart does when I think what if?

What if it becomes more?

Before I even know what I’m fully doing, I open my messages and input his contact. When I finish writing the message, I hesitate for a split second before muttering “fuck it.”

Harper: I don’t remember if I said yes to coffee

Ugh that was stupid. Before I can double down, telling him to ignore me, bubbles dance on my screen. Fuck. He’s typing, and before I can spiral further, my phone vibrates.

Xavier: Well, I don’t recall you saying no. So that must mean…

Harper: As long as you don’t mind my awkward word vomit about how hot you are, then when do you want to go?

Harper: Omg. Forget I said that.

Harper: Excuse me.

Harper: I’m just going to go change my name and skip town.

Xavier: Lol I think your rambling is adorable, and great for my ego.

Xavier: How about Thursday afternoon?

Harper: Sounds great! Should we meet at Ruthies?

Xavier: Sure, but let’s take our orders to go. It’s much easier to get to know someone when we’re walking or driving somewhere

Harper: You’re not going to murder me are you?

Xavier: Lol no. I promise

Harper: That sounds like something a murderer would say.

Xavier: I’ll see you Thursday, Harper. Have a good sleep.

Harper: Goodnight.

There is a heavy plop on my bed as Evie jumps into it, laying on her side facing me, with her hand holding her head.

“What was that smile about?” she asks incredulously.

“Nothing. Just making those coffee date plans.”

Evie squeals before she launches herself at me, a harumph leaving my body at the sudden contact. “I’m so proud of you! This is going to be the best revenge on that sleazeball!”

“Yeah, yeah. Now get off me!” I say, shoving her off.

We get comfortable in bed and I throw on Brooklyn 99 , one of our go to comfort shows. We spend the next hour watching the show, laughing and joking. As I fall asleep, a wave of contentment wash over me.