Page 41 of The Love Proposal
“No problem,” Daria says, with that permanent resting bitch face. “Weknow how to behave ourselves.”
The “contrary to you” postscript is clear in her tone.
“Great,” I say, looking at Susan. She shrugs in a half-apologetic way, as if to say, “I might have forgiven you, but Daria would never allow it, so I have to pick sides and I’m not on yours.”
The idea of having lost them saddens me, but being here with them now, I realize I’ve come to terms with it. Some friendships are stronger than anything while others are simply not meant to last and will crumble under a big enough storm. Daria has had her heart broken by too many cheating men; forgiving me would translate to her as forgivingthem, and I know she never will.
“That’s all I wanted to say,” I conclude. “See you around.”
I leave them to no doubt gossip behind my back and head onto the bus. We have to leave in five minutes anyway. I go for a seat in the rear as usual, sitting down with my temples still pulsing from the harrowing exchange I just had outside.
I hope today will pass fast.
The wish has been barely expressed when my phone pings with an incoming text from an unknown number.
Eager to find out who it’s from, I read the message.
From Archibald Hill
Hope you don’t mind, but I finally found a good use for the “Winter and Logan Tie the Knot” WhatsApp group Tucker created
My stomach does a silly, adolescent flip. Archie searched for my number, and he’s texting me.
Even if I feel as agitated as a teen texting her first crush, I keep my reply super cool.
To Archie
Oh, gosh, that group
I mute it every week
With everyone on board, the bus leaves the parking lot just as Archie’s reply comes in.
From Archie:
Every week? I muted it for a year straight off the bat
To Archie
A year?
LOL
That’s badass
But makes sense, you never replied to a single text
I didn’t even know you were in the group
From Archie
Sorry, but the first time Tucker asked us to help research the meaning of flowers and come up with suggestions for the floral arrangements, I had to bail
To Archie
But that was a great assignment
I suggested Gardenias