Not in Love

RUE

When I stepped out of the bathroom stall, Tisha was there, nonchalantly leaning against one of the sinks, studying her perfectly lacquered nails. She didn’t bother looking up before asking, “Rue, what the hell are you doing?”

I said nothing and went to wash my hands, wondering if I was too drunk for this conversation.

“Listen, I love you, Rue. I’m not here to judge you, or to make you feel bad—because it’s clear that you already feel like shit. Otherwise you’d have told me what you were up to.”

My chest hurt. I tried to think of a response, and found none.

“Are you in love with him?”

“What?” My eyes met Tisha’s through the mirror. I tried to let out a derisive laugh, but the sound that came out of me was choked. “No.”

“Do you think you could be? If this continues?”

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She sighed. “I know it’s a ridiculous question. But this is so ridiculously out of character for you, I had to ask.”

“No. No, I’m not in love with him. I’ve met him a handful of times.” I turned around to face her directly. “It was once. The sex was good. And he’s…I don’t know. Easier for me to be around than most people. But it’s not—there’s nothing.”

Tisha examined me, a vertical line forming between her brows. “Listen, if you…if there’s something between you guys, something real, I’m going to be first in line to support that. My loyalty is to you before Florence, or Kline, or even my own damn sister. Not Bruce, though.” Her lips twitched. I exhaled a small laugh, too. “But if you’re seeing Eli just because he’s a good fuck, then you need to stop right now and find someone who’s going to be less of a problem. Because he and his buddies could still take away Florence’s lifework. And even if they don’t manage that, who knows how many people they’ve stolen from. Will steal from. Florence deserves better than this, but the most important thing is, you deserve better than this. Okay?”

I didn’t know what to say. So I just nodded, and when Tisha came closer and wrapped her arms around me, I hugged her right back.