“I didn’t know that either. Oh, Evie, that’s wonderful. If anyone knows how to cook it’s an old Black lady who lives on a ranch. That’ll be awesome. Probably better than some stuffy culinary school and more relaxed than being tossed back into a fast-paced kitchen.”
“Yeah, I’m a long way from any fast-paced kitchen, but hopefully I can get back there, some day.”
“Do you want to cook?” Blaire asked.
“Yeah. I do.”
“Good. You love it so much. I know you’re going through a lot, but I hated the idea of you having to give it up, and I don’t just mean the show.”
Evie definitely didn’t want to think about her actual job that was currently hanging in the balance. “Tell me about your day. This has been the Evie show, twenty-four hours a day. What’s going on with you?”
“Thank you for asking, babe. I mean that. Well, things are much better now that I feel like you’re settling in, but I miss you! The apartment isn’t the same without you.”
“I miss you too.” Evie meant it. A lot was missing, but it didn’t take her long to figure out why she and Blaire had been best friends and roommates for so many years. Blaire was pretty great.
“So, let’s see. I’m off for a few more days, but I need to prep for finals and OMG, I don’t want to. My students are driving me nuts this year. Also, I think I have a date for New Year’s Eve.”
“With who?”
“Um, a doctor,” Blaire admitted, sounding guilty for some reason.
“What’s his name?”
“David. I ran into him a few times when I came to see you. He caught me on the way out after we sent you on your way. We talked a bit and then he asked me out. I’m kinda excited. He seems sweet and he’s really hot. I don’t think you can go wrong with a hot doctor.”
“A hot doctor sounds amazing. You have to tell me all about your date when you get back.”
“I will. Speaking of hot. Zach. Talk to me.”
Evie thought about how nice it felt to kiss him, even though the kiss wasn’t real. “There’s nothing to say. I haven’t seen him yet today. I think he’s at work, at the ranch.”
“Oh, but I bet you’re dying to. That’s so hot. He’s like a real cowboy.”
“I wouldn’t hate seeing him, but I don’t know what to say. Nicole had a point. I really need to focus on myself right now.”
“Right, but there’s focusing on yourself and cutting out all possibility for something to grow, and then there’s focusing with an emphasis on putting yourself first, while also allowing a ridiculously fine man to show you how a little reverse cowgirl works out West.”
“I don’t know what that means, but it sounds sexual.”
“It is,” Blaire said. “Look it up—no wait, don’t! No do. Yes, you’re not a child. You need this information. Also, if you don’t have sex with him you’re gonna want to have those search results at hand, literally.”
“I don’t know. I’m . . . conflicted.”
“About what? Tell me.”
“I like him. I think, but obviously things were bad between us if I didn’t speak to him for ten years.”
“You want my opinion?”
“Sure.”
“You were like twenty-two. I think about the dramatic grudges I’ve held since I was twenty-two and only like two of them were really worth it. If he wants to make things right and if he apologizes for what he did—”
“I don’t even remember what he did.”
“But he told you, right?”
“Yeah, but I—”