The lights were bright in the city, but Leyla couldn’t wait to get home and hide under the covers. She’d taken a risk tonight, was finally ready to let Abe know how much she likes him only to find her friend Mary coming out of his apartment. Leyla brushed away another tear as she remembered how she swallowed the lump in her throat and apologized for showing up unannounced, not knowing Abe was busy now.She tried not to wonder how long he’d been busy for.
She’d gone tonight, with her mind set. She was ready to tell him the true. The lines had already begun to blur between their friendship and a potential relationship, but no one had taken that first step to take it further. He’d given her signs before, though. He’d flatter her and open up about his insecurities. Jealous tendencies when it came to other guys stepping near her. But neither had confessed they’d had feelings for each other and wanted more than friendship.
Leyla thought it would happen, one day. When they were ready. But now it seemed he got sick of waiting for her and moved on to her friend.
“All set, miss,” the cab driver announced. Leyla paid the cab and got out of the car. She made her way to her door, when she noticed a familiar red car parked outside.
Mason.
She turned around and almost ran to Mason, who came out of his car just in time to catch her in what seemed like a mid-tackle.
“Hey, hey. This is a nice welcome,” he teased at his best friend. He was beginning to chuckle when he heard her sob and felt her shake slightly underneath his arms. “What happened?” he prodded gently.
“Abe,” she breathed.
“Another jealous tantrum, I assume?”
Leyla shook her head before looking up at him. “No. that’s not it. I went to see him tonight.”
“Okay. And...?”
She sniffed a little, and Mason cradled her face in his hand in reassurance. “I went there because I’m tired of whatever unspoken game was going on between us. I went there, because I hate spending my nights alone, wishing I could spend it with him instead. I went there to tell him how I feel about him.”
“Hey, that’s great, no?”
“I don’t know. I couldn’t see his reaction once Mary stepped out from behind him in a hurry.” Leyla almost choked on the last part, and Mason hugged her tightly.
“Hey, you don’t know what that means, though. Maybe she was giving you two space. She knows how much you like him.”
“While buttoning up her blouse?” Leyla bit out sarcastically. She buried her face in his chest, wanting a safe haven to cry her heart out. As always, Mason was there to help.
“Hey, he’s an idiot.” He patted her shaking head.
“I shouldn’t have waited so long,” she cried out.
“Don’t do that,” he held her closer, moving her hair away to the other shoulder. “You didn’t deserve this. He’s an idiot, okay?” He kissed her bare shoulder gently, and she wrapped her arms around him tightly, as he whispered in her ear. “He’s stupid if he doesn’t know you’re worth waiting for.”