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London: That’s a good start ...
Luca: And a nice bottle of Chardonnay chilling as we speak.
London: Impressive, Luc.Let me guess—you asked Val what my wine of choice was?
Luca: I’m truly heartbroken now.I didn’t need to ask because I already knew it.Besides, you left half a bottle here a few weeks ago, and I remembered the name of it.
London: OK.I’ll give you that one.What else have you got for me then?You need to sweeten the deal if you want a night of my company.I’m in hot demand these days.
Dammit.Why does reading that have me gritting my teeth and gripping my phone all that little bit tighter?What doeshot demandmean?Is she being wined and dined by a different suitor every night now?Is she on a dating app, getting slimed on by horny men with one thing andonlyone thing on their minds?A vein in my temple throbs in time with my pounding heart.
When my phone vibrates in my hand again, I realize I haven’t replied yet.
London: Luc!I was joking.Idohave things to do but I’m not in hot demand by anyone.
Luc: Why not?
London: What do you mean?
Luc: You SHOULD be in hot demand and having guys knocking down your door, Lonnie.
London: Aww shucks, Luc.You are good for a girl’s ego.
Luca: You don’t even HAVE an ego.
London: Maybe I should get you to write my Chicago Singles profile for me.Val threatened to do it but I think you might’ve just earned yourself the honor with all that praise for little ol’ me.
Now I’m the one typing then pausing ...then typing, pausing, deleting ...pausing ...typing again.Then I stop.What the hell is wrong with me?
Luca: What have I told you, Lonnie?There will never be a man on this earth that will be worthy of you.Just ask Cap.I guarantee he’ll agree with me.
London: I just got a funny look from Val because of how loudly I just sighed.You’re kind of predictable, Luc.You know that, right?
Luca: And that’s why I’m SO irresistible.Dinner, study, wine, and movie.See you whenever you’re ready to come over after work.
London: Or I come straight from work and steal your clothes.A lot of mine are packed anyway.
I freeze with my fingers poised over the texting keyboard.Packed?
Luca: Packed?Why?Are you switching out your wardrobe or something?
London: I’ll explain when I get there.See you after five then?You better be ready to be quizzed about protocols and procedures by the time I get there ...
Luca: Want to explain why you’re packed now?
I can’t help asking again because now, my mind is racing ahead with all the possibilities.
London: It’s better face to face.It’s not bad news, I promise.
Luca: Okay ...
London: You’re totally stressing, aren’t you?
Fuck, this woman knows me well.Shouldn’t that mean something to you?a little voice whispers inside my head.
London: Luc, it’s good news.GREATnews even.I’ll see you soon.And if you stop monopolizing my time with all these texts, I’ll get to your place sooner.
Luca: Hey, I know your boss.I’ve heard she’s really flexible with letting her employees leave early to go have dinner with handsome, sexy,irresistiblefirefighters.
London: Luc, it’s Val.Stop bugging London and let her get to work.I’m turning off her phone now.Goodbye.
And despite being shut down by my sister, there’s just something about my text conversation with London that has lifted my mood and fixed that little uneasiness I was feeling earlier.
London and I are going to be fine.I’m going to make sure of it.She’s my girl.I’m her guy.And I’m determined to get our friendship back on track.Looking after her, helping her out,beingthere for her—whatever she needs, I’m going to be the one who helps her get it.Or I’ll break my back trying to do it anyway.
That’s after she tells me what the hell she’s packing for.
