Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 84195 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84195 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
She gasped as if I’d wounded her. Or betrayed her by considering other agencies.
I couldn’t help it—I rolled my eyes. “Mom, stop acting like it’s this big thing. Even though it is, to me.” I wanted it—needed it—I realized, not only to provide distance, but to prove to myself that I stood on my own merits. “So think about it and let me know.”
There. I said my piece. I strode toward my office, feeling pleased with myself that I’d held my composure under her scrutiny. Sure, she was thrown for a loop right now, so hey, guess I could keep people on their toes too. Plus, it bought me time to get my thoughts and ideas together to present to them about a different position in the company—or hell, I’d even take a change in scenery. And if they couldn’t accommodate my request, I’d developed enough of my own reputation and contacts that I was certain I could easily find another job. Maybe with our direct competition. A devious grin slid over my face. What in the hell had gotten into me lately?
I got lost in work, then glanced at the time, decided to wrap it up early, and went home.
I waved to Eddie as I came through the lobby toward the elevator. He seemed surprised to see me, likely because I’d been working later hours since Skylar had moved out. I used to enjoy coming home to my empty apartment after a busy day of meeting clients and showing properties, but now, walking through my door, the place felt emptier. It was silly, honestly. I just needed to get back into that frame of mind where being alone was a good thing. Still, it was about more than just being alone.
It was being without him.
Which was dangerous thinking.
Skylar and I texted every day, but he’d yet to use his key late at night, though every time I went to bed, I kept hoping it would happen. I even tried to wait up. Pathetic, I know. I could’ve just asked him, but I thought maybe he needed time to get used to being back in his apartment and to his routine. Or maybe I was afraid he’d changed his mind about this thing we had going on, now that we’d placed some distance between us.
After I changed, I met Gretchen in the hall for our trek to Zumba class. Once on the sidewalk, my cell vibrated in my pocket. I pulled it out to find a text from Skylar, and I felt my entire body relax. Outside of the buzzing in my stomach, of course.
How’s my bed doing?
I smiled as I quickly typed back: He’s cold and lonely.
I can understand why. I am pretty warm and very good company.
And messy. The sheets have never looked more put together.
How boring. Guess it’s time for them to get all twisted up again.
Maybe it is.
I wanted to ask if that meant I’d have a surprise visitor soon, but I didn’t want to appear too needy, even if I was exactly that. Freaking needy. Ugh, I was pitiful.
“Uh-oh, I recognize that smile,” Gretchen said, nudging my shoulder. “Only one person can cause that reaction in you.”
“Huh?” I played dumb as I slid my phone in my pocket.
“You know who I mean.” She rolled her eyes. “How are you doing without your BFF?”
“Okay.” I tried putting on a brave face, but I was hopeless. “Sort of lost, honestly.”
She threw her arm over my shoulder as we waited at the crosswalk. “Someone’s in love.”
My gut tightened. “Don’t say that. I can’t be.”
She snickered. “Why not?”
I frowned. “That would ruin everything.”
“You can’t know that. Maybe he’s struggling without you too.”
“Maybe.”
I didn’t want to tell her that I doubted it was the same sort of struggle, and that I definitely needed to protect my heart…or that I had a feeling it was already too late.
33
Skylar
There. Was. Something. Wrong. With. Me.
I blamed Clark.
It was absolutely his fault…or not. How could I blame him for being so irresistible? So cute and fun and sweet, and for making me mope around all day, every day since I moved out of his place? Considering I controlled my own actions, that meant I needed to own my shit, and it wasn’t Clark’s fault at all that I was crazy about him.
It was mine.
And I kinda didn’t want it to go away, which wasn’t my finest moment. I’d spent every day talking myself out of going to his place, using my key, and climbing into bed with him. I’d said it was the mattress, but it wasn’t the mattress at all. It was him. I’d gotten used to sleeping with him every night. Listening to the little noises he made and seeing how he always lined his glasses up perfectly on the nightstand. How he tried to sneak around the room quietly in the morning so he didn’t wake me, and how sometimes I’d pretend to be asleep and just sort of marvel at how freaking adorable and great he was.