"So, you're going to give Arizona another chance?"

Rose and I were at a coffee shop one Saturday afternoon.

Richard was on another business trip and she needed someone to come with her to check the restaurant for the reception.

"I will." I sipped the green tea Frappuccino I ordered.

"Are you sure about this?"

I nodded.

Since the incident at the elevator, I haven't stopped thinking about what Arizona told me.

I want her too.

If we were at the right place that day, I probably could have done more than kiss her.

I have never needed anyone in my life and she felt the same way.

"How are you going to do this differently, Julia?" Rose cocked her eyebrow.

"We haven't really talked about it yet." I answered.

Rose looked towards the street where a couple was walking hand in hand.

"Love is great but..." She paused.

"But?" I followed her gaze and saw the guy give the girl a quick kiss on the lips.

"It's a lot of work."

I looked at her and saw tiredness in her eyes.

Except for a thin layer of red orange matte lipstick, she had no make-up on.

This was Rose's version of being underdressed.

Most of the time, she wears clothes that are fit to be called Sunday's best.

Today, she had on a light-yellow cotton tee and cream-colored capris.

"Why are you always doing this by yourself anyway?"

"Richard is catching up on all his business deals because he wants to take a month off." She answered.

"I'm okay that he's not here for the preparation. He'd better be at the wedding or else I'll kill him."

She smiled but it wasn't a friendly one.

It was threatening with a touch of I-will-certainly-do-what-I-said.

"In a way, I'm glad I'm getting married."

"Why did you say that?"

"Because dating is difficult. You put on your best show with the hope that the other person will like you. If they don't, your confidence dips a little but you keep trying until you finally find that someone who doesn't care if your hair is unwashed and you wear the same pajamas for days to sleep."

"You are not this person, right?"

Rose chuckled.

"I guess I'm lucky I met Richard. He sent tons of messages apologizing that he's not with me right now and it makes up for his absence in a way."

"I'm glad you feel that way."

She turned serious.

"What if it doesn't work out the way you want it too?"

"Right now, I'm thinking of how to make our relationship work. I'm still in love with her and she feels the same way about me." I paused.

"Did I tell you she broke off the engagement with Helena?"

Rose eyes grew wide.

"She was engaged?"
"Yes."

"Oh wow! I didn't know."

"I didn't either until that day she came to the hospital to tell me she was leaving."

I looked at the empty parking lot then at Rose.

"I want to enjoy her. When we were young, we were so focused on making everything work. It took a toll on both of us. Now, I just want to spend time with her as much as I can. I'm not as naïve as I used to be, Rose. I know that being apart will be our normal."

"Are you okay with that? Being away from her for months?"

"Of course not. To tell you the truth, if long distance doesn't work for us again, then I may consider moving there so we can be together."
"You would do that?" Her eyes grew wide.

"Yes."

"Wow! I didn't expect to hear this from you."

"Arizona is everything to me. If being with her means I have to leave everything behind, I would do it. We were given a second chance and want to hold on to this."

"Awww!" Rose placed her hands on her chest, beaming.

"You're such a romantic my friend." She teased.

"Just like you, I consider myself lucky. She is my true love. Love is a lot of work but she's worth it."