Conversations with Friends

by Sally Rooney

He was the first person I had met since Bobbi who made me enjoy conversation, in the same irrational and sensuous way I enjoyed coffee or loud music. He made me laugh.

Yeah, men love telling me I’m cool, I said. They just want me to act like I’ve never heard it before.

I think I’m the one who should be flattered, I said. Not by him, he’s completely useless. Great taste in women, though.

I can’t remember if I thought about this at the beginning. How it was doomed to end unhappily.

Is it possible we could develop an alternative model of loving each other? I’m not drunk. Please write back. I love you.

You underestimate your own power so you don’t have to blame yourself for treating other people badly.