Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 45573 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 228(@200wpm)___ 182(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45573 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 228(@200wpm)___ 182(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
I ramble all the words out in one long breath and start to talk myself out of it. “Olivia, what in the world? I’ve never seen you like this. You’re the cool one. You’re the one that’s sassy and smart-mouthed. No one gets the upper hand on you. You sound…”
She pauses, and I fill in the blank. “I sound like a mess. I know, because I am a mess. This guy’s got me all messed up.”
“So what happened tonight?”
“Uhhhhh… well, he came for dinner, we ate and then were talking. He uh, made me feel good… and then he left.”
“He left?” she repeats.
“Yep. He left, and it was all so weird. Like, he didn’t even kiss me tonight. I mean, I kissed him before he left, but it was quick and then he was gone. Which I understand he had to leave, his ride was here, but he just left. I mean, I didn’t … you know… for him.”
She starts to laugh and doesn’t stop. “Abby Campbell, so help me.”
“Jones. Abby Jones,” Davis says.
My eyes widen in shock, and my mouth drops open. “Abby, please tell me that Davis did not hear everything I just said.”
“I told you I was in bed. Where did you think Davis was? It’s okay, he’s not going to say anything. You won’t say anything to Jason, will you, Davis?”
He laughs. “No, I won’t tell him that if he stayed he’d have gotten lucky.”
“Oh my God, I’m dying. Please just end me now,” I plead with Abby.
I’m not sure if she hears me because she’s admonishing Davis. Which it doesn’t sound as if she’s getting onto him too hard because I hear her shriek and then giggle.
“Forget it, I’m going to go. I’m sorry to bother you.”
“Don’t you dare hang up, Olivia. Listen to me. It’s obvious Jason likes you.”
“Hmmph.” I grunt at her.
“He does,” I hear Davis say and then the sound of a slap and Davis chuckling. My God, this just keeps getting worse.
I’m about to hang up when Abby comes back on the phone. “Okay, listen. I’m walking out to the living room so we can figure this out.”
I wait until she starts talking again. “Okay, so I think what we need to do is talk about you running away, Olivia. Think about that.”
“Trust me, I know I’m a mess.”
She huffs her breath. “You’re not a mess. You have trouble trusting people, that’s all. It’s going to take time, and if Jason’s worth it, he’ll give you all the time you need.”
I put my phone on speaker and then lie back down on the bed, putting my arms under my head. “Yeah, I guess. But be honest with me, Abby. Isn’t it weird he just left like he did?”
“Did you ask him why?”
“Well, yeah, but he said his ride was here. I told him I could take him home but he didn’t even seem interested in staying. He left. Ugh, Maybe he realized that I’m a little chunkier than he thought. Maybe he’s not attracted to curvy women.”
“Olivia,” she admonishes. “You’re beautiful.”
I roll my eyes. Abby is one of my best friends; what else is she going to say?
“All I’m saying is that if he wanted to stay… if he wanted me… he wouldn’t have left.”
Her response is immediate. “Maybe he wants you, but there’s a reason he thought he should take it slow. Oh, I don’t know, maybe you running out on him the night before after just a kiss has him skittish.”
I open my mouth and then close it. That actually makes sense. “Do you think that could be it? Do you think he left because I freaked out? Maybe he doesn’t want me.”
“Olivia, you’re being ridiculous. Was he attracted to you or not? I mean, you can tell…”
I remember him adjusting his bulge. I bury my head in my hand. I can’t believe I’m talking about this. “I mean yeah, I think so, but maybe I’m just a warm body.” I almost tell her that he hasn’t been with anyone in two years, but I don’t want to betray his trust that way. I already feel like I’m pushing it talking about all this with Abby.
It’s almost like I can hear her rolling her eyes. “Olivia, he’s attracted to you. Trust me, he likes you. I understand why you’re confused after him leaving like he did, but you know what you need to do.”
I wait for her to continue, and when she doesn’t, I ask her, “What do I need to do?”
She laughs. “Olivia, he really does have your panties in a wad. You need to talk to him. You need to tell him what you’re feeling, and you need to tell him all of it.”
I groan. I hate hearing it, but I know she’s right. I do need to ask him. “You’re right. I’ll go see him after work and ask him.”