Page 95 of Tell Me I'm Not Dreaming

Stop staring at his phone and say something!! You’re killing me, Bridge!

The person behind the counter calls out, “Silas,” and hot gym guy raises his hand.

Silas.Mmm.

Bridget loves a good strong name on a man. She often looks up the meanings behind names when doing research while writing. She named her male main character Tyberious because he was born near a river. Silas means “of the forest.”

I wonder if he knows that.

She’s about to open her mouth when her name is called.

“Bridget,” the person behind the counter calls out.

She collects her drink and notices Silas is gone. She rushes out of the gym and spots him heading to his car. Catching up to him, she turns around to see Lyric not far behind her.

He’s about to leave.

What do I say?What was it that Lyric told me to say?Wait,‘Hi, I’m Bridget.’That was it.Just say it.Say it! He’s getting away.Damnit, why is this so hard for me?Why amI so nervous?Why is talking to a man so nerve-racking?

Overwhelmed and overthinking, Bridget yells, “Hi, I’m Bridget!”

Silas jumps and screams, “Aw, shit!” startled by Bridget’s sudden and loud outburst.

He clearly didn’t realize she was behind him. His scream was accompanied by his squeezing the cup housing his smoothie. The smoothie spills out from the cup, all over his T-shirt. HiswhiteT-shirt. He turns around and looks at her like she’s insane.

Bridget just stares back, too embarrassed to think of words. Lyric slides up next to her. Bridget looks at her best friend and feels the tears forming. Lyric gives her a warm look, telling her it will be okay, but Bridget knows better. She mumbles, “Sorry,” and takes off running to her car.

It’s been twenty minutes,and Bridget is still slunk down in the trunk of her Toyota Grand Highlander—the car she bought because she loved the show of the same name. There’s a knock on her window. Her phone had been buzzing for a minute, but she couldn’t work up the nerve to read Lyric’s text. She grabs her phone and rips off the Band-Aid.

Lyric

Okay, that didn’t go as planned but it’s okay. Silas isn’t mad. I talked to him. Text me back.

When Bridget doesn’t reply, Lyric goes to her go-to when Bridget gets in her own way, tough love.

Lyric

Bridge, stop tripping and text me back.

I know you aren’t getting all bent out of shape over a man. It was an accident, girl. Get your ass out of this car.

There isn’t another message. The knocking isn’t stopping. Bridget hits the button on her key fob and opens the door. Lyric climbs inside and sees Bridget’s face.

“I’m not cut out for this, Ric. I can’t do it,” Bridget laments.

“Again, sweetie. He’s just a man. You’re making this out to be bigger than it is. Just say hi and … apologize for making him spill his drink.”

“Is he still by his car?”

“No, he’s going to meet you in an hour at the diner down the street.”

“The Sunny Side Up diner?”

Lyric nods. “I told him you’d buy him breakfast to make up for what happened. So go home, shower and get cuter—and relax, Bridge. If he’s not the one, there are plenty of other niggas out there.”

“Thanks.” The two friends hug. Lyric departs, and Bridge heads home to get ready.

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