“He—” My voice cracks, barely louder than air. “He booked it?”
I read it again. And again. And again, because there’s no way this is real, and also because it very much is.
My hands start fluttering in front of me like they’ve lost all structural integrity, and I squeal, burying my face in my pillow so I don’t wake the entire building.
Layla
Reed, you didn’t have to pay for my flight
Reed
I wanted to. I’ll pick you up from the airport.
And I’m going to spend the entire 7 days reminding you exactly how you tasted when I had your lip between my teeth.
I gasp. I flop back onto the bed, kicking my feet like a psycho.
Dropping my phone in shock and arousal, I immediately retrieve it, remembering to message Brian, right? My fiancé. The one who hasn’t kissed me in... weeks? Months?
Layla
I’m going to Tennessee for a work trip. I’m leaving tonight.
The “Read” receipt pops up almost instantly.
Brian
Heyyy girlie, it’s Rebecca
Brian’s busy right now, but I’ll let him know, okay?
My stomach doesn’t drop; it doesn’t even twitch. But the sheer audacity, I scoff, choosing not to answer because what the actual fuck.
My phone buzzes again, and anger seeps through me, assuming it’s Brian, but it isn’t.
Reed
I can’t wait to see you, sunshine
Oh my God, he used an emoji.
AHHHHHHHHH. I mentally scream to myself, because if I were to scream out loud, my neighbors would call the cops.
My skin warms with excitement, as my heart steadies. I buzz with anticipation, excitement, nerves, and giddiness for another man.
Layla
Start counting down the hours
Throwing my phone onto my bed, I squeal with excitement. Before I can pack my backpack, I need to check my mail.
I clamp a hand over my mouth, my heart racing. The air still smells faintly of the coffee I left unfinished this morning, and the hum of the fridge is the only thing that answers me. My cheeks hurt from smiling.
I’ve never genuinely smiled this much in my life. My smiles for my content are always fake, performed. But with Reed? They come naturally.
I slip on my shoes, the rubber soles squeaking faintly against the wood, and grab my keys.
The hallway outside my apartment is quiet, with sunlight slanting through the high windows and dust motes floating lazily in the air.
