Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 105850 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105850 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
But it wasn’t her.
THE BASTARD: Chloe.
Whoops.
I forgot that was his name in my phone. It’d been such a long time since we’d used it to contact one another given the circumstances.
Still, I smiled. I couldn’t help it. Seeing that old nickname for Theo tickled me, almost as much as him texting me did.
Ugh.
What was wrong with me?
ME: Theo.
What did he want? Why was he texting me? He’d barely spoken a word to me since Thursday lunchtime.
THE BASTARD: It’s too quiet here.
THE BASTARD: I miss you.
Oh.
Oh.
Curse this little fluttering of my heart.
THE BASTARD: You make coffee much better than I do.
Never mind.
ME: And here I thought you were saying something nice.
THE BASTARD: It’s true, though. I do miss you.
I sighed, plopping down on my side, still clutching my phone tightly.
He missed me.
Could I be silly and believe that he missed me the same way I did him right now?
ME: …I miss you, too.
THE BASTARD: I never thought you’d say those words to me.
ME: Well, it’s too quiet, and there’s a severe lack of funky socks in my laundry.
THE BASTARD: Ah, so it’s the potential blackmail material you miss.
ME: I was trying not to say it, but…
THE BASTARD: Life with you is a series of heartbreaks, Chlo.
What?
He was so dramatic.
THE BASTARD: What time is the party today?
ME: Starts at seven, but I think I might go to Aunt Fizz and Uncle Jay’s house before lunch. My place is too quiet.
THE BASTARD: You should adopt a cat when we’re done up here.
ME: I’ve never considered it. You’ve always kept me too busy for a pet.
THE BASTARD: Well, you’ll have all the time in the world since you’re abandoning me.
ME: I see you have a flair for the dramatic this morning.
THE BASTARD: The thought of you leaving me makes me act this way.
ME: Are you trying to be pitiful enough to make me change my mind?
THE BASTARD: Between that and seducing you, I was hoping I had a shot at it.
Ha.
ME: I see you’ve pulled the stick out of your arse.
THE BASTARD: What can I say? Waking up to you not being here was more shocking than I thought.
ME: You’re being very needy again.
THE BASTARD: Only because it’s you.
ME: You know, if you keep saying things like that, I might start getting the wrong idea.
THE BASTARD: That depends on what you think the wrong idea is.
ME: That you can’t live without me.
THE BASTARD: You already know that much is true.
ME: I don’t mean professionally.
THE BASTARD: Who said that’s what I meant?
I bit my lower lip, dragging my teeth across it and snagging a dry bit of skin. I picked at it as I stared at his words, and I winced as I plucked the tiny bit away.
Ouch.
That stung.
THE BASTARD: What time is your flight back tomorrow?
Thank God.
I had no idea how to respond to his last message. Was it a joke? Was he being serious? I didn’t know.
This was much easier.
ME: 6.30.
THE BASTARD: In the morning???
ME: Absolutely not.
THE BASTARD: In the evening???
ME: That’s the only other 6.30 on the clock.
THE BASTARD: Hm.
ME: Hm? What’s hm?
THE BASTARD: Nothing. Have fun with your family. Tell Harvey to call me.
ME: No. I’m not on the clock. Call him yourself.
THE BASTARD: I’m starting to miss the days you’d just say ‘yes, sir’ to everything.
ME: I would, but you told me not to call you sir in bed, so I’m getting out of the habit.
THE BASTARD: …
THE BASTARD: I reserve the right to change my mind at any time, you know.
ME: I’m sure you do.
ME: Sir.
THE BASTARD: You should book an earlier flight.
ME: No.
THE BASTARD: Why?
ME: I’m annoyed at you. :)
THE BASTARD: I know. You have every right to be. That’s why I want you to come back sooner so we can talk face to face.
Shit.
I wasn’t expecting that.
ME: I suppose it would be awkward if we went into work mode on Monday while barely talking.
THE BASTARD: No.
THE BASTARD: I don’t care about that.
THE BASTARD: I just want to apologise properly.
Damn it.
I could cope with him being demanding. I could cope with him being needy. I could even cope with him being petty and childish for unknown reasons. I could cope with him dirty talking in my ear and touching me in indecent ways.
I could not cope with this sweet, considerate version of him.
Neither could my heart.
ME: I should be back by 9.30 tomorrow night. You’ll just have to wait.
THE BASTARD: I’m not very patient.
ME: I don’t know why you’re telling me that. I already know.
THE BASTARD: I can’t believe I was missing you.
ME: Believe me, the feeling is mutual.
THE BASTARD: Can you do me a favour?
ME: What?
THE BASTARD: Harvey said your aunt tries to set you up with guys at her parties.
ME: Unfortunately, he was telling the truth. If I’d had more time, I’d have started a betting pool for tonight’s victim.