< : > : Chapter Twenty - Two : < : >

Harlow | Phoenix | Other people

Taking a bite of my M&M cookie from Subway I tried to brainstorm with Timara on how she should tell Corey that she still likes him. Unfortunately, according to her she no longer has feelings for him but as her best friend I can see through her bull shit.

If I would have known that Prichett was her high school crush this entire time I would have of course had plan for them in the making. Casually bringing her up to him and vice versa. The way she bites the inside of her cheek fighting off a smile anytime I bring him up is cute.

I wasn't sure that there was much interfering that  needed to be done since they were officially roommates now. Phoenix and Timara both confirmed that Corey is single and I know for a fact that Timara is as well. From the little bit of information I got from Phoenix, Corey has never stopped thinking about Timara having a crush on her as well. Eventually sparks in that cozy house of theirs would start to fly, I just needed a way to get Timara to not be afraid of taking the first step.

"Why don't you ask him out to dinner or even like a poetry reading that leads to dinner?"

Moving the rice and orange chicken around her plate she shrugged. "You don't think that's too deep for a first date? What if he doesn't like poetry?"

"But what if he does? Okay, so what about the arcade and then pizza? No one turns down pizza. You two can be cute and share a slice."

"What if he's one of those people who doesn't like pizza or what if he can't have cheese and we have to get a cheese less pizza? What if he likes pineapples on his pizza?"

Rolling my eyes I exhaled loudly purposely. "Timara."

"I can't Harlow. I'm not bold like you."

"You can though. What do you know about Corey that would lead to a cute date?"

Silent for a few minutes stabbing her chicken in thought I finished my cookie bawling up the rest of my trash to throw it away when she finally spoke. "He likes to use his hands. He fixed up most of the house himself."

"So maybe take him to a pottery class or painting. If all else fails you can do a movie night at home but I have to get back to work so I'll think of some more stuff and you should too."

"I'm in no rush to come up with an idea. He already went back to Cali but I'll see you later."

Waving goodbye I tossed my trash away heading back to work ready to knock out the rest of my shift. It was Wednesday and that meant a relaxing much needed pedicure with my best friend at six. Aside from eating lunch together almost everyday we hung out on Wednesdays and sometimes on the weekend. I've even went with her and her mom to the Farmer's Market a few times. Thankful for the introduction to fresher foods and baked goods.

Getting back into my work mode switching out with Journey I helped out the next customer that was grateful I wasn't shutting down the line since Brianna's was so long. Giving them a polite smile and asking if they found everything okay they were nice enough to say that they did and even asked me a few questions needing help choosing between two curling irons.

The rest of my shift went smoothly with no rude customers which is always a plus. Helping Brianna with some things she asked me about Phoenix complimenting how strong I was for dating someone that I've never met.

"I don't really know how to explain it."  I said picking up the picture of her Golden Retriever, Sammie from her desk. "There was a pull that I felt. His voice was nice to listen to, he made silly conversation, and in my lonely life he was somewhat a friend."

"Ouch."

"No offense Bri!" I apologized wrapping my arms around her. "It's just different. Of course you're my friend, my greatest cousin, and I love but with Phoenix it was always . . . a sense of wonder. I wondered what he would look like. I wondered if he was really just some guy that was a liar at home playing a military game with Doritos fingers."

"And now you two are dating." She smiled up at me.

"Yeah. We may not be able to see each other physically but he makes me happy. Our phone calls and Skype calls makes me happy."

"Then of course I am happy for you."

"Thank you."

"It'll be an interesting story to tell your kids and grandkids one day."

"You're thinking pretty far ahead."

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Feet ankle deep in hot soapy water, my back firmly massaged by the chair, the soft chatter of other women talking surrounding Timara and I at Forever Nails. Peeking over at Timara her fingers moved quickly over her cell phone screen.

"Are you texting Corey?" I asked grabbing the stack of nail colors debating if I should get a solid color on my nails or to just stick with a pedicure.

"No, my mom. She was asking me if I wanted some brownies."

"Did you say yes?"

"Of course I did!" She laughed. "I've never turned down my mother's brownies."

"So we're going to pick those up after we leave here, right?"

"We can after we pick up some ice-cream."

"Why not do it after?"

"Did you forget the last time I left you in the car alone with my mom's brownies?"

We both laughed at the memory of Timara coming back out with a carton of vanilla bean ice-cream catching me in the act of chewing my third brownie. I'm ninety- eight percent sure that I had crumbs on my shirt and brownie in my teeth but they were just so good. The chocolatey smell was enticing and mouth watering.

Enjoying our time relaxing and talking about the cute little house that her and Corey share I tried to keep up with my side of the conversation when my feet were being scrubbed. Trying not to kick the woman in her face or pull the leather from the chair I covered my mouth inhaling deeply fighting the laughter of her tickling my feet.

Once she was done I could breathe evenly and normal again Timara laughed next to me. Telling the lady what color I wanted she finished giving my legs a apricot scrub and painted them to perfection.

After we were both finished and paid for our pedicure we headed to the grocery store to get some ice-cream. Turning off the car Timara asked me get out so I could take a picture of her outfit and freshly painted nails then she would take pictures for me.

Getting out the car I suggested she stand in front of her trunk and pose. Backing up raising her phone trying to get all of her and not too much of the extra background I bumped into someone almost dropping her phone.

"Oh my goodness. I'm so sorry."

"It's okay." The older man replied looking down at my toes then back up to my face. "You have a good day."

Appreciative of his compliment Timara laughed. "Phoenix may have some competition. You even have grandpas looking at you."

Shaking my head at her I took a few dozen pictures on her phone before we switched positions. Just as I was about to turn to poke my ass out from the corner of my eye I saw two familiar faces coming towards us pushing a cart just as my cell began to ring.

"Wait a seconds, it's Phoenix." Grabbing my phone from her I quickly answered making my way over to Phoenix's Aunt Justine and Dylan.

Seeing me Dylan tapped his mom nodding in my direction with a smile.

"Hey babe. Guess who I'm walking towards?"

"I wish it was me."

"Me too but it's your aunt and Dylan." Giving them a hug once we met halfway I introduced them to Timara before telling them that I was on the phone with Phoenix.

"Oh, that's good to hear. Tell Nicky we said hi."

"Phoenix, your aunt and Dylan said hi."

"I just talked to them this morning but tell them I said hi anyways. Leave out the first part though."

Relaying his message Phoenix Aunt said that they had talked earlier this morning. "It was only for a few minutes but I'm always grateful when he calls. I know you are too." She smiled.

"I would hope so." Phoenix said from the phone.

"Of course I'm always happy to talk with you." I rolled my eyes at his silly statement making his aunt laugh.

"Did you just roll your eyes?"

"Maybe."

"Mm, you're something else."

"Thank you."

"Did I tell you that you look beautiful today?

"Aww, thank you - wait." Feeling my phone slide from my fingers I turned to look at Timara but was met with camouflage instead.

"Hello Beautiful."

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