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She laughs and pulls away from me. “Well, I’m glad you said that because he invited us to a party on Saturday, and I told him we’d be there.” She busts out laughing and I shake my head. I guess we’re going to a party.
The rest of the day, we watch sappy love movies and wish those men existed in real life. When it’s close to dinnertime, Shannon says she wants to go out to eat and then go sit on the beach for a while. Sounds perfect to me, so we get ready, and I take her to one of my favorite Chinese restaurants. Just as we get our food, my phone rings. Shannon raises an eyebrow and I shrug. I have no idea who would be calling me. I take it out of my purse and see it’s Kallie.
“I have to get this, it’s Kallie.” She smiles and I flip her off. She thinks Blake will be brought up. Too bad, I know it’s about my photo shoot. “Hey, Kallie, how are you feeling?”
“Hi. I’m feeling so much better, thanks. I heard you saw Jax in the grocery store the other day.”
I smile, thinking about it. “Yes, I did. How was your soup?”
She laughs. “Let’s just say I don’t love him for his cooking.” I join her laughing this time and glance up at Shannon, who is once again texting. “Jax told me he invited you to his place Saturday for his party, you better be coming.”
Shit, I forgot all about it. I don’t say anything and once again look at Shannon. Then it hits me. “I’d love to, but my best friend is visiting, and we actually have plans to go to another party. I’m sorry. Next time.” I feel total relief knowing I avoided this party without appearing like I was avoiding it.
“Fine, but next time for sure. All right, to the real reason I’m calling. I need to figure out this shoot for you. I know you said you would be happy not to use Blake, and believe me, I understand, but I don’t know who to use as a replacement. I thought Jax or Max, but they’re too well known to stand in for him. Blake is also well known, so it’s hard finding someone that people will actually think is him.”
Fuck, fuck, fuck. I was so afraid this was going to happen. I honestly don’t know what to do. The author in me says suck it up. You need this cover with Blake. My heart says you’re crazy and just use someone else. “Can I think about it and call you back in the morning?” I’m sure I’m driving her crazy. She probably regrets getting involved with me at this point.
“That’s fine, but let’s try to figure it out because I need to make sure whoever you decide on is available.”
I feel like such a fucking fool. I take a deep breath and decide to think like one of my characters. What would they do? I close my eyes and take a deep breath. “You know what, let’s stick with Blake. It really is the best way to go.” My heart is pounding, and my hands are sweating, but I need to stop hiding, like Shannon said.
“Are you sure?”
I’m not able to say how I actually feel. I will make this work. “I’m positive. Are we still on for two weeks then?” I wish Shannon were still going to be here. I’d make her go with me. However, in the same breath, I need to be a damn adult.
“Yes, if you’re sure, we’ll do it in two weeks at my studio. I’ll call you closer to it with directions.”
Shannon is staring at me with questioning eyes, and I’m sure my face reveals my fear. “Sounds great. Thanks, Kallie.” We say our goodbyes, and with a shaking hand, I put my phone back in my purse. I look up at Shannon and blow out a breath.
“Well, don’t just sit there, tell me what the hell that was all about.” I tell her everything, and with every word I say, the smile on her face gets bigger and bigger.
“London, I’m proud of you. You never know, maybe he’ll want your new number.”
I roll my eyes and push my food away, no longer hungry. I know she thinks he’s pining after me, but I know he’s not. He’s probably all but forgotten about me, and I’m totally fine with that. I’m still humiliated by the whole thing.
***
The entire week goes by entirely too fast. It’s already Saturday and Shannon will be leaving tomorrow. I do believe having her here was the best thing for me. We talked a lot and I’m done hiding. I’m going to be the person I used to be. The person who enjoys life, enjoys people, enjoys sex. I am done feeling like a prisoner.
With my new attitude, we’re getting ready to go to the party that fuckable Brody invited us to. Shannon went out to dinner a few times with him and she seems extremely happy. I’m sad she has to leave, but we’re going to make the most out of her last night. I decide to wear my dark blue jeans with my white off-the-shoulder shirt. For the first time in years, I pick out matching sexy white satin panties and a strapless bra. I straighten my hair and apply a generous amount of makeup. I stare in the mirror and love what I s
ee. I haven’t felt like this since New York. I go over to my closet and search for my white heels. I grab them and go check on Shannon. I knock on the door and open it. I am blown away with how stunning she is. Not that she isn’t always beautiful, but tonight she has on a strapless black shirt and short white shorts. Her red hair is in a riot of curls and her makeup is like mine, heavier than usual, perfect for a night out.
“Holy shit, you look amazing. Brody isn’t going to be happy to let you go tonight.” She sits down on the bed to put on her strappy sandals and gives me a weak smile. “What’s wrong?”
“Honestly, I’m going to miss him. I wish I didn’t have to leave tomorrow. It figures when I finally meet someone I really like, he lives in another state.”
Damn, I really thought this was just going to be a fling for her, but she let her heart get involved. I hope Brody doesn’t break it. “Sweetie, if he’s willing, there’s nothing wrong with a long-distance relationship.”
She stands up and looks at herself in the mirror I have above the pullout couch. “Long distance doesn’t work. Been there, done that.”
“You could always move out here. You can stay with me until you find a place of your own.”
She laughs and pulls me in for a hug. “I love you, but I’m not moving because I like a guy. I’m not in love with him. We’ll just have to make tonight count.” She gives me a wink and I know she’s trying to convince herself. I’ll be the friend she needs and go along with it, because I know she’d do it for me.
We are both ready to go and, of course, take a few selfies that I need to post. “You have the address, right?”
She grabs her phone and checks. “Yes, I have the address. You know I don’t like being the first ones there, fashionably late is always the way to go. So how far is this from here?” I check the address and it’s only about ten minutes, give or take. When I tell her, she smiles and hands me my purse. “Perfect, let’s go get something to eat and then we’ll head over.” Not one to waste a night that I feel good about myself, I’m totally game.
