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It hurt that he hadn’t reciprocated.
She eyed the phone again. Curiosity was killing her like the cat. She raised her hand from the water and dried it on the towel hanging over the side before reaching for her phone. Her heart beat so rapidly as she pulled up his contact and dialed his number. She eased her knees up to her chest as the phone started to ring. When it went to voice mail, all of her fears rose along with tears of regret and sadness.
She set the phone back on the sink and rested the side of her face atop her knees. “To hell with love,” she muttered, lifting a handful of bubbles to her mouth to blow them up into the air.
Bzzzzzz. Bzzzzzz. Bzzzzzz.
Her head shot up and she looked over at the screen of her phone. A picture of Cole was on it. She felt excited, like a middle school girl receiving a call from her first crush. And just as nervous.
She reached for the phone and answered his call. “Hello?” she said, wincing when it came out like the strangled cry of a rooster with a hand around its neck.
“Jillian?” he said.
He sounded uncertain even though she was sure her name had displayed on his Caller ID.
Unless he erased your contact.
She raised her wet hand to squeeze the space between her eyebrows. “Yes, it’s Jillian. How are you, Cole?” she asked, keeping her tone measured.
“I’m good. You?”
Jillian closed her eyes. They sound so formulaic. So awkward. Stilted. So much like strangers than former lovers.
“Am I bothering you? Are you busy? With work...or someone?” she asked, unable to deny the desire to know if he had completely moved on from her.
The line went silent.
With every passing moment, her pulse increased, and her stomach was a pit of growing nerves. “I understand if it’s none of my business—”
“I’m not seeing anyone,” he said.
Great.
“And you?” he added.
“Do you care if someone else filled the space you asked for?” she asked, instantly regretting letting her hurt lead her.
“Wow. Really, Jillian?” he asked.
She sighed. “Look. I didn’t call to argue. My mother says that my grandmother’s bill at her rehab facility has been paid in full,” she said. “I was wondering if it was you that blessed us in such a way?”
“You never said if you were with someone.” Cole avoided her question. “How’s your bestie anyway?”
The water had cooled and the bubbles were beginning to fade, so she stood and stepped out of the tub. Water dripped off her curves. “Warren?” she asked as she grabbed a towel to unfold with a snap before she held it in front of her body.
“Who else?” he drawled.
Jillian arched a brow. “Still concerned about him?” she shot back in sarcasm.
He chuckled.
She did not.
“About the bill, do I have you to thank for it?” she asked, directing him back to the question he’d evaded.
Silence.
“Also, my family and I insist on repaying you, if that’s the case,” Jillian added.
