Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 72892 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 364(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72892 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 364(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Shit.
As much as I want to fill the void of his absence, I don’t have the time.
“I’ll need to start looking for someone right away,” Astrid says. “Where’s that Help Wanted sign we had? I want to post it in the window.”
Penny steps forward, dusting off her white pants now, too. “Could I apply?”
My gaze darts to Astrid to gauge her reaction. I see instant relief in her expression. “You want the job?”
“I’ve worked retail. I was the manager of a clothing store back in Rhode Island,” she goes on, “I should also mention that I love music. Old, new, country, jazz. You name it. I love it. Go ahead, quiz me.”
I already know by the smile on Astrid’s face that she’s going to give Pen the job, but she plays along.
“Give me the name of the local band who released their first album a few years ago.” She pauses. “They’re music is next level. The band consists of three sisters, and…”
“Cupid Karma,” Penny blurts out. “If you’re not talking about Cupid Karma, you should be.”
Astrid races toward her with her hand outstretched. “You’re hired. When can you start?”
Gaines: I can’t tonight.
This message may have just arrived on my phone, but it a carbon copy of the one I received yesterday when I was with Penny and Astrid at Vinyl Crush. He sent a similar message three days ago, but added work as the reason he couldn’t meet up with me.
Penny peers at me over the menu in her hand. “What’s up, Els?’
She brought me to Crispy Biscuit for lunch today so she could give me a condensed version of her first time with Daxton. I told her I didn’t need details and I was happy for her, but she insisted we sit down for a meal so she could replay the entire night for me.
I set my phone on the table with the screen down. “How do you know when you’re being ghosted?”
Just as she’s about to answer, I change up the question, “Are repeated brush-offs considered ghosting? Or is that something else?”
“Who the hell is ghosting you?”
I laugh, even though my heart has been breaking a little more each day since Gaines left me to go to work that morning a week and a half ago.
“Who, Els?” She looks around the crowded diner. “Give me his name and I’ll set him straight.”
I glance at the two vintage butterfly hairpins she’s wearing. “It doesn’t matter.”
“It does,” she argues. “If a man repeatedly brushes off your advances, ignores your messages, or never responds to you, consider that man yesterday’s news.”
I want him to be tomorrow’s headline and an important part of the story of my life for each day going forward.
“In the past, I’ve always handled men like that in a certain way.”
I curl my fingers. “Give it to me. Tell me how.”
“Do this by text, or a call, or if you know where to find him, go there.” She smiles. “Tell him that if he wants you, he needs to show that to you, and if he doesn’t, he needs to man up and own that.”
I’ve done the same with men in my past, but I’ve never been in love before.
“You know it needs to be done.” She reaches across the table to pat my hand. “I’ll go along with you for backup if needed.”
I manage a weak smile. “I can handle it.”
“I know you can.” She glances at the approaching waitress. “Can you handle half a grilled cheese sandwich and fries? I think that’s what we should share.”
“Sure,” I say without giving it a second thought.
As she orders that and two soft drinks, I pick up my phone and read his message again.
Penny’s right. I don’t want to live in limbo forever.
I know Gaines is busy with work, but I thought he’d make time for us, even just a few minutes via text to catch up.
I jump a little when another text lights up my screen.
Astrid: Why don’t you and Pen come by for dinner later? We can celebrate Pen’s new job.
I glance at Penny. “Do you want to go to Astrid’s for dinner tonight to celebrate your new job?”
“Hell, yes.” Her face beams with a smile. “I’m going to be making twice what I make at my insurance job.”
I smile too. “Good. I’ll tell here we’re in.”
“Saylor is still in town.” She sighs. “They’re heading home in two days, but I know she’d love to see Stevie and the Robinsons could use a date night.”
“Let me check to see if she’ll be around.”
Eloise: Should Pen bring Saylor or does Stevie have big plans with her dad tonight?
Astrid’s reply is swift, but it’s not what I expected.
Astrid: Yes, please! Stevie will be home. Gaines invited Berk out for dinner, so it will be just us girls.
CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE
Gaines
I drop my gaze to my phone’s screen but this time I’m not reading an update on a patient or my upcoming office schedule. I’m staring at the only picture of Eloise that I’ve taken.