Page 112 of My So-Called Perfect Life

“Or hit me with the cork.” Roxy adds last minute.

Evan sidles up next to her and says, “I’ll cork you, Rox.”

“Keep your dick away from me,” she glares at him.

These two. I swear one day they’re going to kill each other or fuck the shit out of each other. I’m not sold either way.

“Ready?” I ask slipping the bottle into position between my hands.

Roxy nods. “3 . . . 2 . . . 1 . . . go!”

I push the cork with my thumbs. The pop rings out through the room. A stream of white foam shoots up and pours from the bottle as Roxy hoots and Evan claps.

“Congrats, buddy!” Evan claps my shoulder. “I’m so damn happy for you.”

Roxy hugs me. “You’re going to kill it with this place, boss.”

She turns her phone and the three of us take a selfie. “Smile and say ‘Cohen’s’!”

She snaps a few pictures, takes the bottle from me, and walks over to the bar to fill the glasses with the bubbly.

Evan snatches a glass and raises it. “Cheers!”

The pride filters back into my chest with the clinking of our glasses. My dream is expanding and growing. Life is good.

With the exception of missing Danielle.

Every time she posts a photo or gets tagged in one while out doing all these new things with Mercy and Amelia, it chips away a little piece of me. I used to have to drag her out of her comfort zone. Now she’s doing it all on her own. She seems to be having fun and that is what I want for her.

But I’m still waiting for the day she tells me that she found someone new, confirming that I was, indeed, her rebound. She hasn’t reached out to me since we went our separate ways in the park.

“Missing Chlamydia Girl?” Evan asks leaning against the dark wood of the bar. “I can see it on your face. You make this weird scowl whenever your mind drifts to her.”

I shrug. “I mean yeah, I do. But it’s better now rather than later.”

“What’s better?” he asks.

“If this is only a temporary thing, it’s better to end it now. It’d hurt more later.”

She went out with Mercy the other night and it turned into a date. Or I’m assuming it did anyway based on the pictures on Instagram and Snapchat Roxy insists on showing me. They went to an escape room. She posted a photo, complete with a huge smile on her face while she held up a sign saying, “I escaped.” There was a guy behind her with his hand around her shoulders and was looking at her not the camera He seemed pretty damn smitten. It stung a bit.

I know that feeling.

This was different than the speed dating thing.

This was her out meeting people and forming connections.

Either way, I guess it doesn’t matter. I don’t have a leg to stand on. I told her to go out and date. That she needed it. Clearly, I was right. I’m still not ready to fully give up hope yet, but . . .

Evan’s next words shock the shit out of me. “I’m not her biggest fan but I also don’t like seeing you like this. The pep is missing in your step. You’ve always known what was worth the risk and what was going to bring you to the ER with some broken bones. If you think Danielle is worth the risk, then take it. What the hell do I know?”

“Nothing!” Roxy yells across the space as she walks along the front wall.

“You called her Danielle.” Not Chlamydia Girl. Not crazy ass or any of the other nicknames he’s used since we’ve gotten together. He said her name.

He rolls his eyes. “Don’t make this a big deal, Ry. I’m just saying if you want her, go fight for her.”

I shake my head. “It’s not about fighting for her, Ev. I want her to be sure she wants to be with me. I don’t want to be her rebound.”