Chapter 30

Tasha’s mind was whirling furiously. Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit. How did I not see this? How the hell did Brad see this? Brad? I’m so screwed. I have to tell her. I can’t tell her. She’s straight, I’m… whatever… not straight. This could ruin everything. This will ruin everything. Maybe it won’t ruin everything. She’s my friend, she’ll be cool. Sure, she’ll be cool when you tell her that you love her and want to spend the rest of your lives together. That’ll be totally fine. Wait, the rest of our lives, where did that come from? This will definitely ruin everything.

Not knowing what to do, Tasha panicked and picked up her phone. “Hello, dear,” Maria said as she answered Tasha’s call.

“Maria, I’m so glad that you picked up! I’m in trouble.”

“You didn’t murder Brad, did you?”

“No—I love Megan!”

“I know, dear.”

“Wait, what?”

“It’s obvious. Well, obvious to everyone except you two.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Did you ever wonder why we never worked out?”

“Uh, yeah, a bit.”

“I love you dearly, Tasha, but you were already taken. I didn’t know her name then. I didn’t even know that this mystery person was a woman. I just could never compare to Megan, even if you didn’t know that you were making that comparison.”

“I’m sorry, Maria. I… I didn’t know.”

“It’s quite alright, Tasha. I would have never been able to give you what you truly need, and quite frankly, I enjoy my freedom too much anyway. You are a one woman kind of girl, and I am very definitely not. We’ve had our fun, though, although I suspect that time has now come to a close.”

“What do I do now? I can’t tell her. I’ll ruin everything!” Tasha was fighting back tears by this point.

“My one rule, the most important rule—there are no secrets between loved ones.”

“I can’t! I can’t risk it!”

“Tasha. Dear. Do you truly love Megan?”

She wiped away her tears and sniffled. “Yes.”

“Would you be heartbroken if she found another? Let’s say, another Brad?”

Tasha sobbed. “Yes! But I would support her, of course.”

“Of course you would, because you are amazing. And yet, this is why you must risk everything and tell her. You love her, you can’t stomach the idea of living without her, and yet you would do just that if it would make her happy. For your sake, for Megan’s sake, you must take this leap of faith. Trust. In. Love.”

“I will tell her, Maria. Tomorrow. I promise.”

“No, dear. No secrets between loved ones. Tell her today. And Tasha?”

“Yes?”

“Once you tell her, accept her immediate reaction and be prepared to be patient. She truly loves you, she doesn’t know it yet.”

“How can you be sure?”

“I watched you both at Friendsgiving. You both kept such a close eye on Sophia, yet you also kept a close eye on each other. Megan was quite nervous, you know. Among strangers, uncomfortable in that magnificent dress, and yet, whenever she struggled, you were there. She reacted, she responded to you, Tasha. She trusts you completely.”

“I… I didn’t know.”

“As I said, your love is only a mystery to the two of you.”

“I’ll tell her, Maria.”

“Do it today. If not today, then Wednesday.”

“Wednesday? Why Wednesday?”

“Some of us started a betting pool on when you two would admit that you love each other. Wednesday is the date I picked, dear.”

Tasha was speechless.

“Goodbye, dear. And remember what I said.” Maria hung up.

Tasha walked home. It was a longish walk, but she needed to clear her head. Night was coming by the time she got home, and Megan and Sophia were already there.

“Tasha! You’re back. Is everything alright?”

“Hi, Aunt Tasha! Roller derby is so much fun! I really want to play. Tell Mommy that it’s okay for me to play.”

“Hello, munchkin. I’m glad that you had fun. I promise to talk to your mom for you.”

“I’m right here…”

“She’s just being protective. You’re her little angel, and moms get worried. It’s their job.”

“I know,” Sophia responded in that classic high-low of a child who hasn’t gotten their way (yet?).

“But Aunt Tasha, she’s the fun aunt, so she’s going to do everything that she can to convince your mom, right?”

“Yay!”

“I’m still right here…”

“Hey, you.” Tasha smiled at Megan. “Um, we need to talk.”

“We do, how did things go? Which envelope did you give him?”

“Oh, that. It went well, actually. I still can’t believe it, but I gave him the good one.”

“Really? I wasn’t expecting that. It must have taken forever if you’re just getting home now.”

“Oh, no, I was done hours ago. I walked home.”

“Why?”

“I needed to think.” Tasha held up her hand before Megan could ask anything else.

“Okay, Megan, stop with the questions. I have to tell you something. It’s important.”

“Oh, okay.”

“Megan, I love you.”

“Tasha, I love you, too.”

“No, Megan.” Tasha’s heart raced, she felt the sweat on her palms as she took Megan’s hand in her own, looked her in the eyes, and leapt. “I. Love. You.”

She saw Megan’s eyes widen as her words sunk in. She heard Megan utter a long, “Oooohhhh.” She saw the fear. She saw the uncertainty. Her heart shattered. And then Megan’s arms were around her, holding her up. Tasha felt like her entire world was imploding, and then Megan whispered in her ear. “Tasha, thank you for telling me. Please, just give me some time. I… I just need a little time.”

Tasha remembered Maria’s words from earlier. To accept. To be patient. To trust. “Of course, Megan. Take whatever time you need. I trust you.”