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Why couldn’t she scale back on the honesty thing every now and then?
“I can’t string these guys along,” I moaned. “It’s not right.”
“Okay. Then which one do you want to be with? Who is your best match?”
That was exactly the problem.
“Anson is funny and snarky, and I love his red hair. Although it is a shame he’s related to evil Eva. Brade is sweet as can be and is looking for a life outside touring with his band. Cato has been my savior at work, and I now know he’s liked me all along. And you know Von, who saves every animal he can. What’s not to love about that?”
“Oooh. You said love.”
“I did. I do. I love them. I love each of them.” The tears welled up again. Shit, I was getting tired of being a crybaby.
“Oh my,” Sparkle said.
Oh my was right.
I called in sick to work the next day. I’d never done that before, and I knew Eva would be furious, but for once, I didn’t care about pleasing her. I had some serious things to think through, and I needed a damn day off.
I pulled on some yoga pants and sneakers and set out for a long walk.
The city on a weekday was so different from what I was used to. The weekend vibe, when I was usually out and about, had a lot going for it, but I liked the feel of the city with everyone at work or school. I had the place to myself for a change. I liked it. And just as I sat down on a park bench, my cell rang. I jumped to answer it, like the idiot that I was.
“Hi, Cato,” I said.
“Hey. You didn’t come to work today,” he said.
“Yeah. I needed some time. I have a lot on my mind. I’m sure Eva is losing her shit.”
“I couldn’t tell you. I’m avoiding her like the plague. Look, can you meet me for coffee? Just for a few minutes?”
“Um. Sure.”
He gave me the address of a coffee shop sev
eral blocks from our office to minimize the risk of running into Eva, and I set off to meet him.
I knew what was coming. He was going to tell me to take a hike. That he’d had enough of being jerked around, that I was a horrible friend and a worse co-worker. That I deserved every bit of crap I got from Eva and then some, because I was an awful person, actually even worse than her, truth be told.
Ugh. Why had I agreed to meet him?
But my anxiety slipped out the door the moment I saw him. He entered the coffee shop, a tall drink of water, bespectacled with an expensive, perfectly fitting suit. He turned heads as he moved like a strong, graceful athlete. What a catch. Why had it taken me so long to realize?
“Hey, beautiful,” he said, bending to kiss my cheek. “Look at you, all casual in your sick day clothes.”
I looked down at myself. “Yeah, my sick day clothes.”
He sat back in his chair, head tilted, with a small smile, pretty chill for someone who was about to rip me a new asshole.
I stirred a tiny spoon in my cappuccino so he couldn’t see how nervous I was and added one more sugar just for something to do.
“How’s work for you today?” I asked, not sure what else to say. My head was still reeling from the night before.
“Eh. You know, same as always.”
He leaned forward on our small café table, taking hold of my hands.
“So. After you left last night, the guys and I had a talk.”
