Me:Will I ever get to earn a photo from you?
Giana:Goodnight, Officer. >
This night shift is killing me. So is talking to Giana. She’s right to call me out. I’ve made every excuse in the book to not meet her in person.
I know I’m not dating Sophia, or Giana, but it feels a lot like cheating. And I’m not a fucking cheater.
Me:What are you doing? Miss me?
Goddess:It is pretty quiet. But I did spend the night cleaning your house. And doing your laundry. I also washed and changed your sheets so you could have fresh ones when you get home.
Me:You didn’t have to do that for me, but I appreciate it so much.
Goddess:I had nothing better to do. And you’ve been working so much, I just wanted to do something nice for you. Oh, speaking of, I also made you dinner. What time do you get a break? I can run it by for you.
Me:You’re spoiling me.
Goddess:You need someone to take care of you.
Me:Are you volunteering for the position?
Goddess:If it means I keep getting the orgasms, sure am.
Me:I can take a break whenever. Not many people come through here this late at night so I usually just stand at the hood of my cruiser and chat with the guys working the sign. So come on by whenever. I’ll drop a pin for you.
Goddess:Got it. Be there soon. >
If I didn’t know better, I’d say someone wants more than the current arrangement she negotiated.
I know I do.
Hopefully she’s one step closer to changing her mind, so I need to cut things off with Giana. It’s inappropriate and feels like cheating, except in those moments I nearly convince myself that I’m right in thinking that Giana is Sophia.
There’s too many coincidences to miss the similarity between the two.
“Morning, girlie. What can I get for you? Are you joining us for book club?” Esther greets me as I enter Emerald Roasters.
“Sure am. I’ll take an iced banana bread latte, please?” I pull out my wallet to pay.
“Oh no, sweetheart. Book Club doesn’t pay for coffee. It’s included in the cost of your book.” She waves me off, starting the espresso machine.
“Thank you. Is there a certain spot where you all sit?”
She points to the large circular booth in the corner by the big picture window that overlooks the water.
Taking my coffee from her, I head over and take my seat when Anna walks in next. Watching the two women interact so easily makes me wonder if I’ll ever feel comfortable living somewhere again. Will I always have to lie to everyone in my life?
“Sophia! I’m so glad you decided to join us. Is my son coming or working?” Anna sets her things on the table and slides in next to me.
“He’s working. But he sent me with a list of things to make sure we discuss.” I chuckle, pulling the paper out of my book, remembering how passionate he was about the romantic suspense.
“Of course he did. You know he used to send those to me when he couldn’t make it.” She raises a brow and stares at me. “Seems you two are getting close. The question is how close?”
“No. We’re just friends, we aren’t—”
She places her hand on mine on top of the table, stopping me. “Darling, I stopped by the other day to bring my son some pre-made food for his detail shifts. Let’s just say I know you two are a little closer than you want us to know about.”
My eyes widen. What did she see? What did she hear?Oh, God.
