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“He kissed me.”
Great.
“I was like, completely caught off-guard.”
Please don’t tell me more.
“Which, like, I’ve been dreaming about for weeks. You know that.”
I try to nod, but my stomach is twisting and turning and I’m suddenly nauseous.
Maureen shifts in her chair again. “But the thing is, he stopped. Like suddenly, he got up and left. And I don’t know why.”
I study her closely, a little surprised. “So, it was just a kiss?”
She nods. “Well, it was like, a pretty deep kiss…we were on the bed.”
Nope, spare me the details, please.
“But then he said he shouldn’t be there, and he left.” She frowns. “I don’t know why.”
I don’t know why either. But I do know that he must have gone to see her directly after he argued with me. He told me he wanted nothing to do with a serious relationship, and then he proceeded to take off and immediately go make out with Maureen.
Point made, Kai. Point made.
Maureen is looking at me, waiting for a response, so I shrug. “I really don’t know either. Do you think he initially came for more than a kiss?”
She nods. “That’s why I’m confused. I mean I would have gladly gone further…” She trails off, grinning at me.
I press my lips together. I don’t doubt her eagerness at all. That’s why I don’t know why he stopped. Surely, she is exactly what he needs.
“I texted him after he left,” she continues. “But he didn’t respond. Hopefully he’ll talk to me today. Because, um, I want to do that again.” She smirks. “Dang Sophie, you didn’t tell me he was such a good kisser. I can’t believe he hasn’t been snatched up by someone yet.”
I look down at my lap. She has no idea. Obviously, he hasn’t been as honest with her as he’s been with me.
Maureen is quiet for a moment before she speaks again. “You, um…you don’t have…you aren’t interested in him, right?”
My head snaps up. Shoot, I’ve been bad at concealing my expressions. “No, no, he’s not my type anyway.”
She looks nervous, but she smiles. “OK, good. I really want to see where this goes. Because I mean, obviously he feels something for me, right?”
I try to nod. Yeah, he feels something for you Maureen. One very specific thing.
She stands up, seemingly satisfied by my nod of agreement. “I hope so. I really like him.” She sighs. “I’ve gotta run, but hey, don’t forget, it’s Nick’s birthday today. We’re all going out for drinks later.”
I let my head fall back on my chair, sighing. “Oh, ugh, that’s right…” Nick keeps saying he wants to see the best nightlife in the city, so Maureen made plans for us to celebrate his birthday at a club in Manhattan. Just a few of us will be there, and I would have asked Leah to join, but she’s out of town tonight at her writer’s conference.
Maureen makes her way to the door and smiles. “Oh, loosen up a bit. Let your hair down. It’ll be fun.”
I rub my forehead. The last thing I want to do is spend my evening in an overcrowded club, pretending like nothing is wrong. I give her a tight smile as she leaves the room, but what I really want to do is throw my headphones at her. If one more person tells me to loosen up, I’m going to lose it.
I start to run my hands through my hair and then drop them quickly, remembering it has already been styled for the photoshoot. I let out a groan instead, wishing I could go home. But I reluctantly leave the room to get changed.
When I arrive on stage, the photographer is already there with his team, who are adjusting their lighting and equipment. Casual, soft music flows through the speakers on one of their laptops while they prepare.
When the man who I assume is the photographer sees me, his face brightens and he extends his hands to my shoulders. “Sophie. Oh, how wonderful it is to see you. My name is Marc. You look gorgeous, darling.”
He’s a short man, probably only five-foot-five, with full, greying hair and a pair of thick-rimmed black glasses.
