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“Because we aren't going to want to do anything for the rest of the day.”
“True, but it'll be worth it. Did you talk to Parker or have you been too busy having sex with him instead?” I ask.
“Too busy having sex,” she mumbles under her breath.
“Catherine!”
“What? Every time I try to bring it up, I get distracted by how hot he looks and I can't help it.”
“Oh, come on. You're chickening out! First, you wanted to break up and now, instead of talking, you're going at it like rabbits. You should talk to him.”
“Like you're talking to Emerson,” she snaps. “You're so torn up over this Kelly crap, but I don't see you talking to him. Don't give advice you aren't willing to take yourself, Eva.”
Her tone is like a slap to the face. Catherine and I have never really fought. It just hasn't been part of our friendship. The fact that she snapped at me like that means she must really be struggling with this. I don't know what to say to her, so I say nothing at all. Not to mention she has a point about me keeping silent about my own situation.
We don't speak again until after the massage, which didn't do anything for me because I was too busy thinking about what Catherine had said. The difference is I'm trying to let Emerson sort through it himself and Catherine is trying to break a bad habit. I thought I was helping, but maybe not. On the ride home, Catherine apologizes.
“Sorry, Eva. I?” She sighs. “Parker scares me. What I feel for him, I mean. I don't know how to handle it, especially since my first reaction to a guy is to break up with him when I find something less than perfect. I'm sorry for bringing up Emerson. I know it's different.”
“It's okay. I was just trying to help.”
“I know. You're going to Emerson's tomorrow, right? I'll talk to Parker then. Will you be on call in case things go bad and I need you?”
“Absolutely,” I promise. “Was your massage crappy too?”
Catherine laughs. “Yeah, it was.”
And just like that, we're okay again. Unfortunately, I'm back to second guessing myself on my relationship with Emerson.
Eva: I'm coming with a surprise tonight.
Emerson: For me? I don't believe it.
Eva: Believe it. It's part of my plan to distract you. ;) It should be a real challenge for you.
Emerson: Don't be too much of a distraction. I do have to write two five-page papers tonight.
Eva: No promises ;)
I slip my phone into my pocket and get to work since my break is over. I pull it right back out because it starts ringing. A touch of dread runs through me. Things finally seem back to normal with Eva and now she's calling again? I'm going to have to tell Eva again. I'm tempted not to answer because the last thing I want to do is mess things up with Eva.
With a sigh, I answer. “Hey, I'm at work and my break just ended.”
“Oh, sorry,” Kelly says. “Can I call you later?”
“Yeah, sure.” I glance at the clock on the wall. Time's a-tickin' and I don't want to talk to her today. “Later, Kelly.” I hang up before she can respond.
The rest of my time at work goes by quickly. I grab dinner on the way home and start on my papers. About an hour into it, Eva walks in. She kisses me on the cheek before walking down the hallway to drop her bags off in my room. When she returns, she's carrying a textbook, notebook, and her own laptop.
“What's my surprise?” I ask.
She gives me a sexy smirk. “How many pages have you written?”
“Three.”
Eva bunches the hem of my hoodie in her hands and lifts to remove it. She never gave it back, and she's been wearing it instead of hers. I chuckle when she tosses it blindly behind her. “For every two pages, I remove an article of clothing. Surprise.”
I smile. “You should surprise me more often, Eva.”
