No More Waiting, She Chooses Love

"Licia, could you meet me at the library? There's something I need to talk to you about," Susie asked me. Who was in the mood for that?

"Maybe some other time. I'm a bit wiped today," I turned her down.

Susie went silent, and I could sense something was off, so I had to ask, "Is it something important?"

"Yeah, it's important," Susie hesitated before adding, "Licia, I can come over to you if that's easier." She was insistent on seeing me.

Maybe she had caught wind of the issues between Ernest and me and wanted to offer some advice.

"Susie..."

"Licia, just text me your address. I'll grab a cab over," I could hear her packing up her books as she spoke. Looking out at the torrential rain, I worried about her catching a cab in this weather, possibly getting soaked. She just had a transplant surgery; her immune system is weak, and getting sick could really be a problem.

Even though Ernest and I were no longer together, my concern for Susie remained unchanged. At least until Ernest found someone suitable, I wanted to keep looking out for her.

Faced with her persistence, I had no choice but to compromise, "No need, I'll come to you."

"Great, Licia, I'll wait for you," Susie's voice brightened considerably.

After hanging up, I gave the library's address to the taxi driver, who turned the car around to take me there.

Perhaps due to the rain, the library wasn't crowded, and I spotted Susie immediately, sitting in the same spot as last time.

Only, she wasn't reading but staring out at the rain, clearly preoccupied.

She must have heard me coming, for she turned, her eyes lighting up as she waved me over.

"Licia, you didn't get caught in the rain, did you? It's pouring out there," Susie observed me.

"No, I didn't," I sat down, noticing the closed books in front of her.

Recalling my last encounter here with Mack Craig and worrying about

291 Por vial involvement with bim, I

asked with a smile, "Why are you alone today? Where's your partner?"

Susie pressed her lips together, not saying a it Word. Her silencer

Urgent call wasn't a

and me, but about herself.

t and me, but abou

"Why the silence?" I prodded.

"Licia, I lied to you last time," Susie started.

I hummed softly, having guessed as much already.

Her cheeks tinted with unease, "I'm sorry, Licia."

"I get it. You wanted to tell me the truth today, right?" I guessed her intentions.

Susie nodded, "Licia, the truth is, I've had feelings for him since the first time we met."

For some reason, I had felt uneasy all day, taking a deep breath, I asked, "What's his name?" Susie glanced at me, "Mack."

The name sent a jolt through me, unexpected yet not.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

So it was him.

Knowing Mack's romantic history, it was clear he couldn't return Susie's feelings, not so soon at least.

Seeing the sorrow in Susie's eyes, I had an inkling but still asked, "And him? Does he feel the same about you?"

Susie shook her head, then quickly

added,

d,

mean, it's not that he

does." doesn't like me; I just don't knol

he

Leaning back in my chair, I observed her. "You haven't asked him, or made your feelings clear?"

Susie's cheeks flushed with awkwardness, and I instantly understood. "You confessed to him, didn't you?"

Susie nodded.

I fixed my gaze on her expressive face, "And he turned you down?"