Love Beyond The Rite

Chapter 12

Ember

The roads were gross today with all the slush and puddles of mud. Going into the diner I avoided multiple pot holes in the parking lot.

I forgot how badly these roads were maintained here due to the weather conditions.

I had a longing for salty air and sunshine.

As I walked into the cozy diner, my eyes scanned the room for a familiar face. And then, I saw her. Becky, my childhood best friend, stood by the window, her fiery red hair ablaze in the morning light. Her hazel eyes sparkled with warmth as she caught my gaze, and a bright smile spread across her face. Time seemed to freeze as I took in the changes: her porcelain skin was now dotted with freckles, and her petite nose was slightly upturned, giving her a pert, mischievous look. Yet, despite the passage of years, Becky's essence remained unchanged – her infectious laughter, her quick wit, and her kind heart still shone through. I felt a lump form in my throat as I approached her, my heart racing with excitement and nostalgia.

We hugged, and I felt a rush of emotions.

"Ember, it's so great to see you!" Becky exclaimed, her eyes scanning my face. "But, wow, you look...different."

I forced a smile, feeling vulnerable. "I know, I've been through a lot in the past few years."

Becky's gaze lingered, taking in my features. ”What's been going on?"

I hesitated, unsure how much to share. But Becky's concerned expression put me at ease.

"Just dealing with some personal stuff, I guess," I said, trying to brush it off.

Becky's expression softened. "Well, I'm here for you now. We can catch up and figure things out together."

I felt a lump form in my throat, touched by Becky's concern. "Thanks, Becks. Just being here with you feels amazing."

Becky smiled, her eyes shining with warmth. "That's what friends are for."

After being sat in a corner booth the waitress came over and took our order. I remember how much I loved their chocolate chip pancakes growing up. With out thinking I ordered a short stack of the pancakes and a side of bacon.

We chatted about my mom and my life in Florida, catching up on old times. When Becky asked about Paul, I hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. But something about Becky's gentle tone put me at ease.

"Let's just say it was a toxic relationship," I said, trying to keep it brief.

Becky's expression turned serious. "I'm so sorry, Ember. You deserve so much better."

I felt a lump form in my throat as Becky listened intently, offering her opinion and advice where it mattered.

As we talked, Becky's expression turned thoughtful, and she hesitated to say something.

"Becky, what's on your mind?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of me.

Becky bit her lip, looking away. "I was just wondering if you've run into Elijah yet?"

My heart skipped a beat at the mention of his name. Becky had always been a fan of Elijah's and had visited him when she came over.

I knew she was aware of the incident, but she never pushed for more information and avoided bringing him back up in the past to avoid hurt.

"Not really, I've missed him in passing," I said, trying to downplay the encounter. "Saw him watching me from afar. He's probably married with children now."

I brushed off the topic, not wanting to dwell on Elijah.

Becky's expression softened, and she looked like she was about to say something more. Instead, she simply nodded and said, "I'm sure you'll see him around."

"So, tell me about you? Single, married, kids? Give me the deets from the last 10 years." I say changing the subject.

Becky laughed, her eyes sparkling. "Well, let's see... I got married to Mike, a wonderful guy I met in college. We've been together for 8 years now, and we have two adorable kids, Emily and Jackson. They're my world."

I listened intently, happy to catch up on Becky's life.

"That's amazing!" I exclaimed. "I can only imagine how busy you must be with the kids and Mike."

Becky nodded. "It's chaos, but I love every minute of it. Mike's doing well too; he's a successful lawyer, and we're doing great financially."

I beamed with pride for my friend.

"I'm so happy for you, Becks. You deserve all the happiness in the world."

Becky's expression turned mischievous. "You know, Ember, I think it's time for you to get back out there."

I raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"Online dating, of course!" Becky exclaimed. "It's the perfect way to meet new people and get over...you know."

I blushed, knowing exactly who she was referring to.

"Get under someone to get over someone," Becky said with a wink. "It's the best advice I've ever received."

I chuckled, feeling a bit hesitant. "I don't know, Becks. I'm not sure I'm ready for that."

Becky's expression turned serious. "Ember, you're an amazing person, and you deserve someone who loves you for who you are. Don't waste time waiting for things to get better with Paul. You need to move on and find someone who makes you happy."

I sighed, knowing she was right. Becky had always been a straight shooter, and I appreciated her honesty.

"Okay, fine," I said with a smile. "I'll consider it."

Becky grinned. "That's my girl! I'll even help you set up a profile."

I laughed, feeling a bit overwhelmed. "You're crazy, Becks."

I handed Becky my phone, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. "Set me up, Becks."

Becky's eyes sparkled as she began creating my online dating profile. "Okay, let's get this done! What's your headline?"

I thought for a moment before responding. "How about 'City Girl Seeks Simple Life'?"

Becky chuckled. "I love it! Now, what's your bio?"

I took a deep breath, feeling vulnerable but also liberated. "I'm a small-town girl at heart, looking for someone who values simplicity and honesty. I'm ready to settle down and start a new chapter."

Becky's expression softened. "That's perfect, Ember. You're going to find someone amazing."

As we finished setting up my profile, I realized Becky was right. I wasn't getting any younger, and things with Paul felt like they'd been over for a while now – despite it only being a week. If I wanted my happy ending with marriage and kids, I needed to take action.

And honestly, getting under someone didn't sound bad either.

As Becky handed me back my phone, I felt a mix of emotions: excitement, nervousness, and a hint of liberation.

"Thanks, Becks," I said, smiling. "I owe you one."

Becky grinned. "No problem, happy to help. Now, let's get you swiping!"

We spent the next hour browsing through potential matches, laughing and joking about the various profiles.

"I don't know, Becks," I said, hesitating over a particularly interesting profile. "What if I get matched with someone crazy?"

Becky rolled her eyes. "Then you'll know you're living, right?"

I chuckled, feeling a bit more at ease.