"There's no way you can date me and date another girl at the same time. You have to choose—and I've helped you with that. I'd rather be on my own. I already have enough issues to deal with, and I don't want to add more worries to mine. Happy matrimonial bliss in advance. Best wishes from me to you."
—Tina
After reading the letter, he folded the paper and tossed it into the waste bin. With a sigh, he walked to the bathroom.
Why should he stress over one girl when there were dozens out there waiting for him?
A car pulled up in front of Tina's apartment building. She stood by her window, peering out.
Cherry sat in the car with Frank.
"Thanks again for the ride," she said to him.
"My pleasure. It was nice meeting you, by the way," Frank replied.
"Same here." She paused. "I'd have invited you in, but it's not really my personal space."
"Roommate?"
"Yeah. But I'll definitely invite you in next time, Frank."
"All right," he said with a soft laugh.
"I'll head in now. Thanks again," she said, stepping out of the car.
"The pleasure's mine. I'll call you."
"Have a great day."
Tina opened the door before Cherry could even reach the doorbell.
"Welcome, girl," Tina said, laughing uncontrollably. Cherry stood at the door, pretending to be surprised.
"Okay, you can welcome me, but what's with the giggles and blushing?" Cherry said with a smile, stepping into the living room.
"I saw you, girlie," Tina said, collapsing onto a sofa chair, still laughing.
"Oh, I get it. It's not what you think, Tina. Oh my God." Cherry laughed, too.
"Then what is it? I don't want to assume," Tina said, her eyes fixed on Cherry, daring her to confess.
Cherry walked over to the fridge and poured herself a glass of cold water. She stood by the counter as she drank.
"I just met him at the library. He was doing research—I guess for work, because he clearly isn't a student."
"And?"
"And we talked. Then he offered to drop me off. That's all. Nothing romantic. We just met."
"But it looks like someone's head over heels already," Tina said with a smirk.
Cherry stared at her in disbelief. "Coming from someone who just broke up with her man."
"Charlie, I can't dwell in the past."
"You sound healed—better than last night. You moved on already?"
"Nah. Just living in the truth."
"Wait, oh my!" Cherry exclaimed, dropping the glass cup. She looked at Tina, trying hard not to laugh. "You look pretty, Tina. What happened while I was away?"
"Oh, Chile. I slept well."
"Breakup glow-up?"
"That rhymed. If you put it that way."
"All right, all right. I'm hungry, Tina. What's for breakfast?" she asked, already heading toward the kitchen.
"Find out yourself—I made something."
"You mind if I invite Frank over sometime?" Cherry asked from the kitchen, utensils clattering in the background.
"Who's Frank?"
"The guy who just dropped me off."
"Of course not. I don't mind."
---
It was the weekend. Tina lay in bed reading a novel. She could hear Cherry's voice on the phone, giving excuses for missing a project meeting.
"...Who does school activities on Saturdays?" Tina heard her say, even though there was no official restriction on weekend classes.
"...Even Donald Trump couldn't force someone to go to class today—it's a choice, Emily, I—"
Tina stifled laughter. Why talk politics just to justify skipping class?
"Girl, you just want to stay home and spend time with your visitor! The things love makes us do!" Tina called out from the room.
"Likeeee. So real. The only mistake you made was adding 'love' to it. Frank is just a friend."
"Let's see how you act around him when he comes," Tina teased, returning to her book:
> "...Then slowly, he began to move, letting the ecstasy build. Katie held fast to the tree branch and pushed against it to meet Jack's thrusts, while he framed her hips with his hands. The sound of their breathing filled the air, fueling their passion. Each time he pushed into her, a low cry escaped her lips...Katie thought she would explode..."
Tina stopped reading and closed the book.
She low-key wanted to feel the ecstasy people claimed came from making love—against a wall, on a bed, or even on a tree. Romance novels weren't solving her single-life crisis, but still... she kept reading. Cynthia Wright could never write wrong in her eyes—just like Colleen Hoover had never disappointed.
Love came with sacrifices. Pain, even. Yet she wanted to feel something real, even if it didn't last.
You love someone who wants someone else... who wants someone else.
She thought of Victor.
Was it possible to want someone who wanted you back?
Then Edward.
Did he want her? Did she want him?
She knew she wanted him, but every time she thought of it, her confidence crumbled.
He'd asked her to call him. She wanted to, but was afraid. Afraid of how beautiful things could become.
Was she ready? Maybe she was.
"Do you mind joining us in the living room, Tina? Frank just got here," Cherry called from outside the door.
"All right," Tina replied, closing her book and heading out.
---
"Here you go," Cherry said, handing Frank a glass of drink.
He gulped it down with ease. Tina envied how comfortable he seemed.
"Oh, Tina—this is Frank, the one I told you about. Frank, meet my roommate."
"Nice meeting you, Tina," he said with a warm smile.
"Same here, Frank." Tina sat on a different sofa, silently admiring him for Cherry's sake.
His rich dark skin screamed melanin magic. His low faded haircut matched his well-groomed beard. His height? Gorgeous. And his simple corporate look suited him perfectly.
"Cherry said she met you at the library. I thought you were a student—but hey, not only students go to libraries."
"You're right. I was doing research for a new work project."
"What kind of work?"
"I'm an architectural engineer. I heard the city library doesn't disappoint researchers."
"I can attest to that. Their books are top-notch," Cherry added.
This was how their friendship worked. When one girl was crushing too hard to carry a conversation, the other jumped in.
Tina smiled. Her friend definitely liked Frank.
"I sense a South American aura. Where are you from?" Tina asked.
"Colombia. But I lived most of my life in Argentina. My family's in Bolivia."
"Let me guess—you studied in Argentina?" Cherry asked.
"Yeah, University of Buenos Aires."
"Argentina isn't bad. So why relocate?"
"Inflation. I needed to save more money. Plus, parts of Argentina are scary at night. If you ever get stuck in La Boca at midnight with no light, there are only two outcomes: someone attacks you—or you go mad out of fear. I'm even planning to move my family to Chile. Bolivia never really felt like home."
"Enough about me. What about you, Cherry?"
"You know my name and my school. I'm originally from L.A., but I grew up in Atlanta before moving here."
"Mad combo. From L.A., raised in Atlanta? Girl, you must be tough to deal with," he said, smiling.
"Fairly true," she replied, proud.
Frank glanced at the wall clock.
"Okay, I should head out now if I want to make it to work."
"All right," Cherry said, standing up with him.
"Nice being here. I'm sure there's never a dull moment with the two of you."
"Surely not," Tina said.
"Nice meeting you again, Tina."
"I swear, the pleasure's mine," she said enthusiastically.
He walked toward the door.
"I'll see him off," Cherry said, following him out.