Page 56 of Next Time We'll Fall

I nod slowly. “I do. And I feel like an idiot. Why am I going to be on a reality dating TV show when it’s very obvious that I like Rafe and it’s very obvious that he’s into me? It’s just weird.”

“Girl, don’t put all your eggs in one basket. He literally has done nothing right now. You do not stop being on this show until he gives you a real reason why.”

Sage nods in agreement. “Yeah. Girl, you need to have the most fun in your life with this reality dating TV show. Plus, isn’t the prize, like, two hundred thousand dollars? That would solve all of your monetary problems.”

“It really would.” I nod. “But if I win the two hundred thousand dollars, that also means I have to go on a vacation with whichever guy picks me. And that could be awkward.”

“Why? What if you like the guy?”

“True. I haven’t thought about that. I just …”

“Girl, Rafe’s not your husband. He’s not your boyfriend. He’s never even asked you on a date. Do not stop anything in your life for this man.”

“Yeah, he got jealous, and he came over, and he spent the night, and he gave you an orgasm.” Sage pauses. “He did give you an orgasm, right?”

I nod and grin guiltily. “Maybe two.”

“Ooh la la,” Rosie says and then makes a face. “I want a man to give me an orgasm.”

“You’ll find one soon enough,” Sage says, shaking her head. “This isn’t about you, Rosie.”

“I know it’s not about me. I’m just saying, I want a man.”

“I want a man too,” Sage says. “But we have to be particular. We’re not just going to give it up for any old man.” She looks at me. “No offense.”

“No offense taken.” I laugh. “Plus, I didn’t give it up. Well, only partially.”

We all start laughing then and continue eating our cereal.

I think about what they’ve said to me, and I realize that they’re correct.

Even though last night was amazing, it didn’t mean anything. It wasn’t like Rafe asked me on a date. It wasn’t like he professed his love for me. He didn’t even say he really liked me. It was just a night born of jealousy and physical attraction, and while it wasfun—who didn’t enjoy teasing a man that they’d had a crush on for years?—it wasn’t the foundation of a solid relationship.

It wasn’t the foundation of anything.

I look down at my watch again and realize that I’ve got to jump into the shower to get ready.

I stand up and look at my cousins. “Okay. I’m going to really try my best and see if I do well on this dating show. And maybe I’ll meet a good guy, and maybe I’ll win the money, and maybe Rafe will actually ask me on a real date. I don’t know. I guess I just have to take it one day at a time.” Which is the last thing I want to do. I want the answers now. All of them. I want to know exactly what’s going to happen, but I know that’s not how life works.

“That’s what I’m talking about,” Sage says with a grin. “Sometimes, we can’t wait for life to happen to us. We’ve got to go out and grab the by the horns and see where the ride takes us. Maybe it will take us where we want to go, or maybe it will take us in an even better direction.”

“Yeah, maybe.”

“Rafe’s not the only man in the universe,” Rosie says. “He’s not even the only good-looking man. I think you, my darling, can have any man you want. Maybe Rafe will step up, but if he doesn’t, you’re going to be just fine.”

“Thank you, girls.” I reach over to them and give them both a quick hug. “I love you. I’m so glad you’re here.”

“We are so happy to be here as well,” Rosie says with a smile.

“Yeah. And when you get back later, we want to tell you our plan.”

Sage’s eyes light up, and I stare at them for a couple of seconds, my mind racing.

“What’s your plan?”

“Don’t worry about it. It’s nothing bad. It’s just a way for us to meet billionaires,” Rosie says, “who will want to marry us.”

“Girls, okay, I’ve got five minutes. Tell me everything.”