Convince Dani to give up on Matt… and give yourself a shot at her

“Don’t be sad,” you tell Dani, giving her shoulders a comforting rub.

“Stupid, stupid, stupid,” she says, burying her face in her hands. “He hates me.”

You let the statement sit there for a couple seconds, neither confirming nor denying it, not wanting to seem too eager to push for what comes next.

“Maybe he does,” you shug. Then, you shake your head. “No, what am I saying, you’re right, there’s no way that man’s into you, not after that display.”

“Oh gosh, I really blew it, didn’t I?” she says, blinking away the tears in her eyes.

You help her wipe one away, pulling her into a closer hug. Give her warmth, comfort, these are the things she needs right now…

“It’s not on you, or anything we did,” you say, quietly absolving yourself of any responsibility. “If he was going to be so sensitive… it was never going to work out.”

“It still sucks,” she mutters.

“I know,” you nod. “But you’ll find someone else, I’m sure of it. Someone willing to stick by you through both good and bad.” You emphasize the last part by squeezing her shoulder, reminding her that you’re here for her. “Someone that you can talk openly with. Or, you know, someone that you’ve had fun kissing…” You top it off by giving her a light kiss on the top of her forehead.

Dani, unable to help herself, gives a half-mad half-amused bark of laughter.

“You’re really trying right now?” she says, wiping away her remaining tears. “Seriously?”

She pulls away from you, wanting to get a good look at your face as she awaits your response.

“I’m just saying that you have options, not that you have to make any right now,” you say, orienting yourself to face her too. “I mean, it’s just that Matt isn’t one anymore. So why not somebody else?”

“So you just want me to keep you in mind,” she says quietly, leaning back against the armrest of the bench.

“Let’s put it that way,” you nod.

Dani gives you a tight smile and nods back.

“Well, I’m feeling pretty messed up right now, and as much as I want you here with me right now… I think it’s better if you gave me some space, alone, for now. I just need to think,” she says.

“Yeah, I get it. This matters. Take your time, let me know what you decide,” you say, patting her on the leg as you stand up. “I’ll catch you later.”

Dani +4