Total pages in book: 123
Estimated words: 115833 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 579(@200wpm)___ 463(@250wpm)___ 386(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115833 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 579(@200wpm)___ 463(@250wpm)___ 386(@300wpm)
“Yeah. We’ve been emailing each other here and there. And I told you about the other night at the party, remember? How I needed some air and a little time to myself because I was thinking about Lewis?”
“Yeah?”
“Well, what I didn’t tell you was that Deke found me.”
She tilted her head, swallowing the bite of sushi. “He found you? What do you mean?”
“I was sitting by myself near the fountain. I guess he noticed I was upset and he came looking for me.”
This time her mouth twitched, and she tried bottling her amusement. “Ohh,” she sang.
I fought a smile. “Tish, no. It’s not like that.”
“A famous athlete who could’ve been using his free time to do literally anything else decides to go after a crying woman and check on her? Yeah, okay.” She scoffed. “Tell me how it’s not like that?”
“Okay—maybe you’re right. But when it came to the party, I think he was genuinely concerned, so he checked in. I told you he lost his brother, right? And he knows about Lew. Maybe he just wanted to be nice.”
Tish pursed her lips and rolled her eyes.
“What?” I asked. “What are you not saying?”
“How long have you two been talking to each other?”
“He reached out around the time you sent the email about me taking a week off. He sent his condolences, but it’s like ever since then, we haven’t really stopped staying in touch with each other. It’s been a few weeks now. And it was okay at first, you know? Just harmless. But he just sent me his number today. Look.”
I unlocked my phone and showed her the email. Tish read it, then took the phone from me to scroll through all the others.
“Tish!” I laughed.
She lowered the phone and looked into my eyes. “He likes you, Vina.”
“No,” I moaned. “Don’t say that.” I pressed the heel of my palm to my forehead.
“Oh my goodness, Vina, this is just like a rom-com movie where two people coincidentally meet each other and they start getting to know each other through love notes or text messages. I love shit like this!”
I leaned forward to snatch my phone out of her hand. “I think it’s nice that he cares and that he checks in to make sure I’m okay, but I’ve already told him we can only be friends. I’m not looking for anything more than that right now. I just feel bad because I don’t want to text him.”
“Why? Because you know it’ll lead to something you can’t resist?”
I opened my mouth but clamped it shut again.
Tish smirked. “Listen, he’s a man, Davina. You think he gives a fuck about that just friends thing? In your last email you said something along the lines of him entertaining other women, but if you take a step back and look at the bigger picture, a man like Deke Bishop can’t entertain more than one woman at a time. At least not with emails and texting. He’s a busy person who is constantly on the move. I doubt he has time to sit around emailing a bunch of women all day and night, but he makes the time in his schedule for you. Do you see what I’m getting at here?”
“Nope, sure don’t,” I said as she stood up with her empty plastic cup.
“All I know is for a man who is famous, with a schedule as hectic as his, that means something. People make time for the things they want, Davina. If he’s finding time to send your favorite flowers, to email you for weeks just to stay in touch, and to find you near fountains during parties, that’s more than friendly territory, even if you don’t want to admit it. Just give him your damn number already, girl. It won’t kill you.” Tish walked around the ottoman to reach the kitchen, and while she refilled her cup with red soda, my heart sank to my stomach.
She was right, but I still couldn’t bring myself to text him.
Instead, I darkened the screen of my phone and figured I’d take a step back from whatever this thing was Deke and I had going on.
TWENTY-FIVE
From: Deke Bishop
To: Davina Klein-Roberts
July 15
Been three days since I heard from you. Everything good?
From: Deke Bishop
To: Davina Klein-Roberts
July 17
If I’ve offended you somehow, I apologize. Just wanna hear from you, D. Make sure you’re okay.
From: Davina Klein-Roberts
To: Deke Bishop
July 18
I’m good, Deke. Not offended. Hope you’re well too.
From: Deke Bishop
To: Davina Klein-Roberts
July 18
Tell me what I did wrong.
From: Davina Klein-Roberts
To: Deke Bishop
July 18
You didn’t do anything wrong. I’ve just been really busy. I’m sure you understand what that’s like.
From: Deke Bishop
To: Davina Klein-Roberts
July 18
We’re all busy. And sure, I can say I understand but do you wanna know the truth?
From: Davina Klein-Roberts
To: Deke Bishop
July 18
I always want the truth.
From: Deke Bishop