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But for now, you’re probably wondering what I needed to be cheered up about Honestly, cheering up isn’t quite the word Here’s the least you need to know for now: I had been dating a guy named Owen for a year I knew him well before that, but we only dated for about a year Oas…jeez, I’m not sure how to put it - except to say that Oen He was just…there Kind of like how gravity is just there You don’t really think about it, and since it never leaves, you forget what life is like without it
Owen had a coin collection Has I’ht it was a cute hobby but it revealed itself as more of an obsession He used the word “nu Maybe you already knew that, but I didn’t Over tian to suspect that the only reason Owen started collecting coins was that he learned the word numismatics, couldn’t find a way to work it into a normal conversation, and could not therefore use this addition to his chick-slaying arsenal Stupid Owen
You ets turned on by a coin collection? Or a collector?” Well, silly ate h, just know that Oas my first real relationship I didn’t knohat I didn’t know And coins weren’t really what did it for me I actually fell for his inner nerd I don’t want to be too harsh on hiirl that chose him in the first place He shouldn’t take all the blame
That’s not actually true
Inthat Owen cheated onharsh on people My best friend Lacey, on the other hand, is a different story When you ran afoul of Lacey you placed yourself in the path of a pitiless kaood person to have on your side
I met her don at a hotel bar called The Morocco I don’t knohat it has to do with Morocco except that the waiters have to wear those curved knives on their belts like they were sultans or sheiks Okay, full disclosure before returning to Owen’s nerdiness and shortcos: I am a history buff Well, buff doesn’t really do it justice All I ever want to do is read about history and take myself back in time Lacey says this is because I “can’t tolerate the present” Maybe she’s right
When I get there Lacey is already a couple of minutes (and probably a couple of drinks) into a conversation with a hunky Maître D
Knowing her, she will have hie or whatever this is going to be I’m not always jealous of her lifestyle, but a part of me honestly envies her confidence
As soon as she sees me she sends hi for her command his entire life
“Sa to her feet Her dress has so lass rush towardsmore than ever Stupid Owen
“That stupid piece of garbage,” says Lacey as soon as we sit down “He has no idea what I’rip on her glass and her knuckles turn white
“Maybe, let’s not go there yet,” I say, trying to get the bartender’s attention “Let’s talk about ot to do so, or I’ll claw my own eyes out from boredom”
Lacey clears her throat and taps the oak bar with one long-nailed finger As if she has turned on a switch in his brain, he comes over and smiles at her with a dopey look on his face like he just drank too h syrup
“This fine lady is going to have as many of whatever she wants on antuan tip in it for you Go Show me how fast you can move”
It’s like she has waved a checkered flag He races away and then returns, putting a whiskey sour init While I sip at it, Lacey reaches into her purse and takes out a package that looks like it has been wrapped by a pro from Saks Fifth