Chapter Sixteen

 

<><> Miriam <><>

 

It’s Sunday night and I’ve joined my girls for our weekly walk. I’ve got Jacinta on one side of me and Bailey on the other. We’re clutching our umbrellas and sporting our stylish rain boots and coats, thanks to Jacinta’s enforced fashion requirements. The rain from earlier hasn’t let up one bit, and neither has the intense giddiness I’ve been feeling since Chris Loman and I became a hot and heavy item under the bridge. My lips are still numb from our make-out session this afternoon. Saying goodbye to him was almost impossible.

“Lets talk about a particular boy, shall we?” Jacinta turns, giving me the stare down. “Spill it, Pritchard.”

“What?”

“You went on the date, we know all about that part. It’s the spontaneous trip to his house this morning that I want to hear about. Bailey told me, but you haven’t. Why?”

“Not much to say.”

“Miri, don’t make me beg.”

“Maybe something happened, maybe not.”

Our pace doesn’t waver, but I can sense they’re both waiting me out. The patter of raindrops on our umbrellas is the only sound. There’s no avoiding their curiosity, so I get it over with. “Remember how I told you I’d given him that biography on Olmsted? Well, he read it and then surprised me by taking me to the Delaware Park stone bridge. He impressed me with facts about the architecture and history of the place which was designed by Olmsted.”

“He actually read the book?”

“Apparently.”

“That’s so romantic!” Bailey coos.

“Yes, it really was, especially when he took me under the bridge and it started raining, trapping us there together with no other choice but to keep each other company.”

“And?” Jacinta practically froths at the mouth in anticipation.

“And he kissed me. It was incredible!”

The three of us squeal and giggle.

“What else? Did he want to take things further?”

“Honestly? I was more worried about myself. I wanted to jump his bones!”

“Miriam!” Bailey gapes. “You’re so naughty!”

“Oh, stop,” I laugh. “As if you don’t jump Halton’s bones on a regular basis.”

Bailey laughs her approval.

“You need to go for it with Chris,” Jacinta says nonchalantly.

Bailey laughs harder. “Wait, you mean you approve of her dignity being robbed?”

“I don’t feel robbed…yet,” I say, giggling.

“Oh stop it,” Jacinta waves us away. “This is different. Miri, you’re nothing like Tashelle. What you have with Chris is real and, to be honest, I’m totally jealous. I’ve never seen two people more perfect for each other yet so different from each other too. It’s crazy wonderful.”

“I can’t stop thinking about him, Jay.”

“Who says you have to stop?”

“A little voice in my head. It keeps saying this is a bad idea, that Chris will only break my heart and leave me in his wake.”

“Then have fun and enjoy the bumpy ride. Remember, Miri, you’re the one in control here. You can break it off too.”

“You’re right. I can.”

Bailey leans in as if inspecting me, her umbrella almost poking me in the eye. “You seem different now.”

“I do?” I shrug, knowing exactly what it is that’s different. I’ve fallen in love.