Page 29 of All The Ways to Miss You

As for James? I do like him, but my stance remains the same. This is what I intend to tell him.

My hand hovers over the phone on my desk. In a rush of bravery, I grab the handset and press it to my ear. Quick fingers dial his number. I hold my breath. There’s a half ring before he answers.

thirteen

“Well, hello. I didn’t expect to hear from you so soon.” James’s honey-smooth voice brightens with delight.

His reaction alone brings sunshine to my face. It can’t be helped. “Every woman in the office is jealous over these flowers. They’re magnificent. Thank you.” I trace the outline of the numbers on the phone with my index finger.

“They’re not jealous of the flowers; they’re jealous of you. You’re magnificent.”

My cheeks flame from his compliment, and I inch closer to the telephone’s base. James makes conversation easy. Too easy. He’s honest and straightforward. It’s a far cry from Evan, who complicates the smallest things. None of his actions match his words. He’s confusing at a minimum, frustrating at his worst.

“You’re not making what I have to say easier, you know?” My toes flex, and I lift my heels from the floor.

“Damn, is today still not my day?” he teases.

“I’m afraid not.” My teeth snag my bottom lip. I wish I had it in me to agree.

“Maybe another time.” He accepts my rejection easily and with class. Maybe it’s because of the waver of uncertainty in my voice or the fact that he’s just a nice guy. I’m thankful for whatever the reason.

“I’m standing by my original answer.”

“In that case, I’ll make it my goal to dazzle you until you can’t say no.”

My lips crack into a smile. It sounds like he’ll enjoy the challenge, and with the unexpected twirl in my stomach, I can’t say I won’t like the attention. “Have a nice day, James.”

“You too, Cait.”

The line clicks, ending the call. I drop the headset on the base. When I remove my hand, it’s cramped from clenching the phone too tight.

I lean back in my chair and spin, watching the ceiling turn. I think I’m giddy for the unbelievable fact that someone likes me. Me! And he’s nice, handsome, and normal. He’s not the person I want, but it is nice to be appreciated.

After work, I climb the stairs to my apartment as I flip through junk mail. When I hear heavy breathing, floorboards creaking, and garbled laughter, I pause outside Mrs. Venti’s apartment.

Reversing my steps and leaning back, I peer through her open door. She and an older man wearing a fuzzy brown robe are standing in the middle of her living room. Both have virtual reality headsets strapped to their faces. They’re whooping, jumping, and clawing at the air in the general direction of the largest flat-screen TV I’ve ever seen.

I place a hand over my mouth to suppress a giggle when they wildly wave their arms in the air and swing their hips. Just as Mrs. Venti reaches up to remove her headset, I scurry on, not wanting to get caught spying.

When I reach my apartment, I’ve pushed the unexpected scene out of my mind for another distraction. My door’s open. Again. Evan must be here, finally fixing the shower. As I think it, a repetitious banging noise flows into the hallway.

I step inside the living room and abandon my bag on the couch before rushing to the nearest mirror. With a few quick swipes of my fingers, I control the tangles in my hair. I apply lip gloss, pinch my cheeks until they’re pink, and adjust my boobs higher in my bra beneath my sweater. I frown when I see little change in the effort. No matter.

Tonight, I plan to enact the scheme that’s been formulating since the night we kissed, but also the scheme my whispers have been laughing at. The one they insist will never win me Evan’s attention. Regardless, I want him begging to take back his rejection.

I only make it a few steps before stumbling over the corner of the area rug. I’m airborne and in slow motion before I can stop myself. My arms fly forward, fingers spread for impact. My mouth opens and I squeal. Palms and bent knees break my fall, but I still fall face-first with a loud thump.

The clanking from the bathroom halts.

Laid out flat with my nose pressed into the carpet and knees sore from rug burn, I wince and grit my teeth at the pain. I roll over on my back but remain there for a few moments, allowing the aches to ease before lifting myself upright. Evan begins working again, and I sigh with relief.

Crisis averted.

This hiccup has me shaking out my hands and pacing. Perhaps it’s best to play it cool like I did the other night? Continue with the friends route?

The problem is that being around Evan sends me into panic mode. The more I allow my thoughts to run wild, the more I’m certain our flirty run was a fluke. Dumb luck on my part rather than a plan I should build on.

No. I shake my head, needing to fight my insecurities and stay on course. Looking back, I’ve realized since the first day we met, he’s flirted, teased, and thrown his cocky attitude around, just enough to pluck at my nerves while toeing the line of friend and foe. I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t maddening and exhilarating all at once.