Page 21 of Unhitched
“Uh. Sure.” His brows furrow like he’s angry about having to share her. The two of us leave him alone, wandering through the twenty food carts. We land on sharing a smash burger from The Cravory and a pulled pork grilled cheese from Bahn Reade.
Johnny takes his turn, going to get food alone, and then the next thirty minutes are spent eating while Chloe and I catch up on life like we’re best friends.
I tell her about my breakup with Matt and about Kace–because why not?
–and she asks a million questions so she doesn’t have to talk about her own relationship.
Once I get Chloe all caught up on how Kace and I have barely spoken a word to each other all week, I actually try to include Johnny in the conversation, asking him questions about his life.
Each time he barely gives a response, brushing me off like he couldn’t care less.
I may not always love my significant other’s friends, but I at least make an effort to get to know them.
“I have to go to the restroom,” I tell them both, and Chloe stands too.
“I’ll come with,” she says before turning to Johnny. “We’ll be right back.”
Without waiting for a response, she follows me inside as we weave through the cafeteria style tables to the bathroom.
“What do you think?” she asks the second we’ve rounded the corner into the three-stall room.
I scan her face, eagerly waiting for my response. “I think you’re hoping I tell you he’s not the one,” I say.
She chews on her lip with wide eyes. “Yeah, I just wanted to know I wasn’t crazy.”
“I don’t think he’s necessarily a bad guy. He just doesn’t match your energy. I do believe that sometimes opposites attract, but I get the impression he’d try to keep you from some of what makes you you . I don’t want you to have to settle.”
“That’s my biggest hold up, you know. I feel like the next guy I pick has to be the right one. I’m torn between making sure he’s perfect and just committing and hoping things work out.”
“I get it. It’s terrifying. I’m the same way, but even if you never found your soulmate, I don’t think Johnny is the person you should settle with.”
She sighs. “Me either. I have to break up with him now, huh?”
I chuckle. “Yes. I’d offer to do that for you, but it is not a skill I possess. ”
“It’s okay. I should be the one to do it anyway. Do you want to get us another round, and once he leaves we can hang out for a bit?”
“Sounds perfect.” She turns to leave, but I reach out and touch her shoulder to get her attention. “You can do this, Chloe. You’re amazing, and even if he thinks he sees that, it doesn’t matter if he doesn’t allow you the freedom to be all that you are.”
She pulls me into a hug. “Thanks, Mya. I’m glad you’re here with me.”
“You’re welcome,” I say as I hug her back.
Chloe heads back to the table, and after I go pee, I make my way to the bar. I pick out two more ciders for us but wait while she talks to Johnny. It’s only about five minutes before he pulls his keys from his pocket, gets up from the picnic table and walks toward the parking lot.
Taking that as my cue, I head back to my new friend. “How did it go?” I set the drinks in between us as I sit across from her.
She smiles, but it comes off a little guilty. “I feel bad, but it’s over.”
“What did he say?” I take a sip of the honey pear cider.
“When I sat down, he told me I ambushed him by inviting you on our date.”
“You know what the Spice Girls say! ‘When you get with a girl, you also get with her best friend.’ Or something like that.” I laugh.
“So true.” She grins. “Before I even said anything about breaking up, he argued that he didn’t appreciate being third wheel and that if I wanted to just hang out with you, then I should have said so.”
“You did tell him that on Monday for the party, and he threw a fit.”
“Exactly. I reminded him of that. Then he tried to guilt trip me by saying I shouldn’t fault him for wanting to spend so much time with me. ”
“Oooh. And then what?” I rest my chin on my fist, invested.
She chuckles. “I told him that I have a lot of things that are important to me, and I don’t think I can give him the attention he deserves while also making time for everything else I love.”
My eyes widen, impressed. She has more balls than I do. I practically avoid confrontation at all costs and just hope everything works out.
“And this time he actually agreed. He said he doesn’t want to be with someone who doesn’t put him at the same priority level. So I told him I was sorry, but maybe he should be with someone else. Then he left.”
“Wow. I honestly can’t believe that went so well.”
“Me either,” she admits, taking a sip of the cider the bartender described to me as “alcoholic grape Kool-Aid.” “Thank you again. I think it was mostly helpful having someone here to keep me on track with the break up. It’s easier to redirect the plan or make an excuse to delay it when you’re alone. ”
“I totally get that. Maybe we all need a designated break up buddy until we find the one .”
“Oh my gosh. YES!” Chloe slams her hand on the table. “Wait. Seriously. That’s a great idea, Mya. You should do that.”
I scrunch my brows. “Do what?”
“Be a designated break up buddy!”
“Umm…” I don’t know what to make of that.
“I’ve seen your Instagram. You work for yourself, right? Always doing different projects?”
“Yeah.”
“You could do this on the side. I bet people would pay for the service too. I would have. I should have. The rest of our drinks are on me.”
I laugh. “It’s really okay. I’m having fun tonight.” I can already tell she could easily become a Top 8 friend.
“Me too.” She smiles. “Seriously, think about it. You’re creative enough. I can tell by talking to you and the fact that you helped me get through this.”
“I’ll think about it. ”
We spend the rest of the night talking about random things, but my mind keeps pulling toward the idea that maybe I could help people with the very problem I have myself.