you get depressed when she takes your heart and tears it to pieces. I’ve seen it so many times, sweetie.”
“This time it’s different. I mean it. It feels different, Jen. But, your assessment is right – I’ve been down this road many times. That’s why I wanted your input.”
“Fair enough. I won’t say another word until your finish telling me your story.”
“Refrain from making faces as I tell it, too.”
“That I can’t promise you,” she winked and he had to laugh.
It felt great having his best friend back. Declan told Jen about how he had met Keira, about the sudden and strong feelings he felt for her; and about his doubts and his fears since any long-distance relationship can become quite complicated.
“She’s leaving town today and will return in two weeks. I don’t know what to do. I haven’t felt this way in a long time.”
After a long pause, when Jennifer played with her cup and didn’t look at him, Declan felt uncomfortable.
“I’m not sure how can I help you with this Keira situation, Declan. It sounds pretty serious to me. I know you’ve just met her; but I don’t remember you talking so enthusiastically about a woman you had just met. Granted, I said you do that often but, the truth is, it seems different this time.”
“I know! I think so, too. But, don’t you think I’m heading for disaster? I mean, we are literally an ocean apart.”
“Well, that’s something you’ll have to work on together, when the time comes. It’s too soon to say anything now. You need to know each other better. She’s travelling for the next two weeks, you said? So, why the rush? Why did you want to talk to me today?”
Declan blushed and looked down at his hands on the table, not knowing how to explain himself to Jennifer.
“Hey! What’s the matter?” she put her hand on his arm. “What happened? I can’t believe you’re blushing. You’re so adorable sometimes,” she laughed.
His color got deeper and he made an effort to lift his eyes to hers, “I’m sorry. I’m an ass! I went jogging this morning, wanting to think this whole situation over. Naturally, when I did, I started having second thoughts. You know me.”
She nodded and he continued, “Then, I convinced myself I was still on the rebound from our breakup, that I shouldn’t start a new relationship under these circumstances.”
“Oh, come on, Declan. We broke up more than a year ago. That’s just an excuse, you coward!” she laughed louder, slapping his arm playfully.
“That’s what my conscience told me. And, that’s why I decided it was about time we had a little chat, you and I. I wanted to be certain if I was over you or not.”
When he stopped talking, she just looked at him and raised an eyebrow, “Well, when you got here you said you didn’t feel anything. That’s a good thing, right?”
“Yes, it is. I’m relieved and I’m very happy we had this conversation,” he sighed and winked at her. “I just hope I can talk to Keira as easily as I talk to you.”
“I doubt that. You’ve always had communication issues,” she smiled back.
Although Declan knew she was right, he didn’t want to go into that particular subject, “I noticed you weren’t alone when I called this morning. Is it serious?”
She sighed and a dreamy expression came over her face while she talked about her boyfriend. They had met at work and had been going out for a little over six months.
“You seem happy, Jen. I’m happy for you,” Declan said, and he meant it.
Their conversation turned to other subjects and, when they finished breakfast, they knew they had patched up their friendship. Declan was grateful that Jen had accepted his invitation and she was surprised she had had such a great time. Stepping outside to say their goodbyes, it felt natural for both of them to hug.
“I really want you to be happy, Declan. You deserve that,” she squeezed his arm when she saw doubt shadowing his eyes. “You do, sweetie!
“This time it’s different. I mean it. It feels different, Jen. But, your assessment is right – I’ve been down this road many times. That’s why I wanted your input.”
“Fair enough. I won’t say another word until your finish telling me your story.”
“Refrain from making faces as I tell it, too.”
“That I can’t promise you,” she winked and he had to laugh.
It felt great having his best friend back. Declan told Jen about how he had met Keira, about the sudden and strong feelings he felt for her; and about his doubts and his fears since any long-distance relationship can become quite complicated.
“She’s leaving town today and will return in two weeks. I don’t know what to do. I haven’t felt this way in a long time.”
After a long pause, when Jennifer played with her cup and didn’t look at him, Declan felt uncomfortable.
“I’m not sure how can I help you with this Keira situation, Declan. It sounds pretty serious to me. I know you’ve just met her; but I don’t remember you talking so enthusiastically about a woman you had just met. Granted, I said you do that often but, the truth is, it seems different this time.”
“I know! I think so, too. But, don’t you think I’m heading for disaster? I mean, we are literally an ocean apart.”
“Well, that’s something you’ll have to work on together, when the time comes. It’s too soon to say anything now. You need to know each other better. She’s travelling for the next two weeks, you said? So, why the rush? Why did you want to talk to me today?”
Declan blushed and looked down at his hands on the table, not knowing how to explain himself to Jennifer.
“Hey! What’s the matter?” she put her hand on his arm. “What happened? I can’t believe you’re blushing. You’re so adorable sometimes,” she laughed.
His color got deeper and he made an effort to lift his eyes to hers, “I’m sorry. I’m an ass! I went jogging this morning, wanting to think this whole situation over. Naturally, when I did, I started having second thoughts. You know me.”
She nodded and he continued, “Then, I convinced myself I was still on the rebound from our breakup, that I shouldn’t start a new relationship under these circumstances.”
“Oh, come on, Declan. We broke up more than a year ago. That’s just an excuse, you coward!” she laughed louder, slapping his arm playfully.
“That’s what my conscience told me. And, that’s why I decided it was about time we had a little chat, you and I. I wanted to be certain if I was over you or not.”
When he stopped talking, she just looked at him and raised an eyebrow, “Well, when you got here you said you didn’t feel anything. That’s a good thing, right?”
“Yes, it is. I’m relieved and I’m very happy we had this conversation,” he sighed and winked at her. “I just hope I can talk to Keira as easily as I talk to you.”
“I doubt that. You’ve always had communication issues,” she smiled back.
Although Declan knew she was right, he didn’t want to go into that particular subject, “I noticed you weren’t alone when I called this morning. Is it serious?”
She sighed and a dreamy expression came over her face while she talked about her boyfriend. They had met at work and had been going out for a little over six months.
“You seem happy, Jen. I’m happy for you,” Declan said, and he meant it.
Their conversation turned to other subjects and, when they finished breakfast, they knew they had patched up their friendship. Declan was grateful that Jen had accepted his invitation and she was surprised she had had such a great time. Stepping outside to say their goodbyes, it felt natural for both of them to hug.
“I really want you to be happy, Declan. You deserve that,” she squeezed his arm when she saw doubt shadowing his eyes. “You do, sweetie!
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