“You think that no one will ever want you,” Lily said suddenly. “You’re scared that no one will make you feel like he did. But you can’t settle!”

“I won’t. I promise. I just…” Katherine trailed off.

The conversation died down. Angelina left shortly after, not wanting to look suspicious. There was still time until the date and she could change her mind.

– – –

The restaurant Barry was taking her to was nice, so she couldn’t dress sloppily. Though she didn’t want to go, she should be respectful and at least act like she had tried. Lily had abandoned her and gone out, still pissed at her tone.

Katherine put on her clothes and some light makeup. She still had some time until Barry picked her up, so she stared at her phone. Her phone rang suddenly and she looked at the name on the screen and smiled.

“Maa,” she sighed.

“Katherine. You’ve not spoken to me for weeks.” She said in a clipped voice.

Kitty’s eyes widened and she stuck her tongue out in grievance.

“I’ve been busy, Maa. I haven’t been able to call you because of all the work.”

“Oh? Please… don’t lie. You always call even when you are busy.” She had a point. Even when she was buried in work, she would take some time out and call her mom to update her on everything.

“Uh, yeah. I have not been in a good place recently,” she admitted.

If her mother called out of the blue, it meant that her mother senses had gone tingling. “Why?” she asked.

“Maa….” she whined.

“Don’t try to lie. You can’t say you are okay or that it is trivial.” She sucked it up.

“I fell out with a friend,” she admitted. Actually, she had fallen out with two people. Didn’t that make it worse? “I haven’t spoken to them for some time and I don’t think I ever will.”

“Ah!” she made the sound. “What happened with him?” Leave it up to her mother to get to the crux of the matter.

“He messed up, Maa. And I got so mad, I did some bad things.” She stopped. “I have a date in an hour.”

“Trying to forget the other guy, I suppose?” Katherine made a choking sound that conveyed her acceptance of the fact.

“I don’t know about your situation, but you shouldn’t jump into something new when you have to figure out this relationship with the guy you had a falling out with.”

“The thing with the other guy is over, Maa.”

“Keep lying to yourself, honey. If it is over, you wouldn’t be so affected by it.” There was silence.

“How are dad and you doing?” she asked, trying to divert the conversation.

“We’re good. Your dad is buried in work. He is getting old, so he gets a little irritable.” It was a light conversation from there. “I haven’t seen you in a while. Why don’t you come by home? You don’t have to go to the workplace… you can work from our home for a while. I miss you.”

“I’ll let you know, okay?” Katherine said. She really wanted to go home and cry into her mother’s arms.

“Yes, you do that. Just make time for your old parents.”

“I will, Maa.” She looked at the clock. “Maa, I need to go, okay?”

“Have fun, I suppose. And let me know how it goes! Katherine, you shouldn’t run away if you really like the other guy. You should fight for the things you want in your life.”

“Thanks, Maa.” She hung up and slipped the phone into her purse. She put on her shoes and went into the living room to find Angelina sitting on the couch, reading a magazine.

Angelina looked up at her and neither of them spoke for a minute as her eyes moved up and down Katherine’s body.

“You have a date.” She smirked.

“Bye.”

“Though you didn’t like Barry. Must have been wrong.” Why did she keep being a bitch whenever she opened her mouth.

She stopped at the door and turned back. “Maybe when I get to know him, I will like him more.” She stormed out before Angelina could reply. Katherine got downstairs and saw a car pull up. Barry appeared out of it.

She took in a deep breath and walked into the car.

Barry was dressed in a blue suit and white shirt with a matching tie. It made sense that he would wear it because they were going to a nice restaurant but she couldn’t help but think what Ray would wear if they went somewhere.

Which was not fair, at all.

“Hey, you didn’t have to come down. I should have picked you up from your apartment,” he said, smiling. She tried to return the smile but was pretty sure that it looked like she was trying not to fart. He came over to the passenger side and opened the door for her like a gentleman.

Would Ray do the same? She cut herself off. She really needed to stop thinking and comparing the two.

“I wanted to wait downstairs,” Katherine said without much explanation.

He was smiling wider. “Didn’t think you would be excited to go out with me.” She wouldn’t say she was excited, but she felt like such a bitch for using this guy to get revenge.

She shrugged and got into the car. “How has your week been?” she asked, trying to make small talk. She buckled her belt and saw him jog around the car to get in. He, too, buckled in.

“It’s been hectic, as usual. You?” He seemed kind. Which was sad because she didn’t want to be here. What the ** was wrong with her. he had done nothing wrong. He had been sweet and supportive, not pushing or pursuing. She was the one who set this up. Why was she acting like she had been forced?

“It’s been fine. I have some deadlines to meet and new projects to sink my teeth into.”