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“Earth to Lottie,” Becca says, waving her hands in my face to grab my attention.
“Sorry, I must have spaced out.” I smile shyly, realizing that I’ve been in my own head for longer than I should have.
“That’s okay.” She smiles, but I don’t miss how her gaze also strays over to the picture of me and Coop with a sad, pitying gleam in her eyes.
“So, what do we have on the books today?” I ask after clearing my throat and forcing on a self-assured smile.
Thankfully, Becca takes the hint and is quick to bombard me with work, eager to keep me too busy to even think about my lackluster love life.
“You have a new client coming in at nine, and then, at eleven, Agnes McDonald will be popping in for her feedback consultation. I have you down for lunch at Étoile d’Or with your bestie, Piper, at one, but you need to be back at the office before three since I have back-to-back meetings with two more clients until five and then a meeting with the marketing freelancer at six.”
“You weren’t kidding. It is going to be a busy day.” I chuckle.
“Told you.” Becca beams brightly. “How about I do a quick coffee run before things start to get hectic?”
“That sounds perfect. A double shot of espresso is just what I need.” I smile back.
Becca happily skips out of my office to grab me some much-needed caffeine while I go back to tackling my emails before the first client arrives.
But every once in a while, my eyes flick over to the white lilies at the corner of my desk.
There was a time that I had Coop to thank whenever I got flowers.
Now, only clients send me sweet gestures like these. It’s never my boyfriend.
As I feel my shoulders begin to slump at how sad that realization is, I quickly force myself to snap out of it and take a more proactive approach.
If I want to change the dynamics of our relationship, then I need to take my own advice and put in the work. I pick up my phone, take a pic of the flowers, and send it to Cooper.
Me:Another satisfied customer.
I hold my breath as the three little dots begin to play on the screen and smile upon receiving his reply.
Coop:That’s because you’re the queen of hearts, babe.They never stood a chance.
I chew on my lower lip and pull the trigger.
Me:How about a celebratory weekend? Just the two of us?
Coop:NYC?
I immediately frown at his quick response.
If we’re celebrating my accomplishments, shouldn’t he be the one taking the train down to Boston instead of the other way around?
Me:I went last time, remember? Can’t you come here this weekend?
I tap my fingers on my desk as the blue dots repeatedly pop up and disappear, Coop seeming unsure of what to reply. Of course, when he finally texts back, I’m not one bit surprised at his answer.
Coop:I just remembered I can’t this weekend. Got a new potential client that needs my full attention and a whole lot of convincing. But maybe next month I can come down. Really proud of you, Lottie. Luv you.
I’ve known Cooper long enough to know that when his texts end with his trademark ‘luv you,’ it’s the end of our conversation.
I place my phone face down on my desk, feeling disappointed and frustrated with the whole lackluster exchange.
Whatever.
At least I have my work to take my mind off how my boyfriend has suddenly become allergic to all things Bostonian while inwardly dreading that one of these days, he’ll include me into the mix of things he no longer likes.
