Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 54817 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 219(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54817 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 219(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
“Yeah, Andrew doesn’t take many days to himself, so I figured I’d let him sleep.”
She seems genuine. I like her, but I wish she wasn’t here. Other than Joe or Karen, I don’t spend a lot of time in one-on-one conversations. My customers don’t count. Being friendly makes the tips worth it and they feed my son. I follow her to the coffee counter, where we get our drinks. I inhale the potent smell of coffee—allowing it to infiltrate my brain.
I look up nervously at Sloane. “I was just going to grab a seat and call my son,” I explain and point to the small table in the corner.
“I was going to go do some window shopping, seeing what stores there are without tormenting Andrew,” she counters, motioning in the direction of the walkway to the mall.
“I think shopping for anything nonmechanical is torture for a man. My hip is bothering me, though. So, I should probably sit. By all means, though, feel free to go shop. I’m just going to call and check on my son.”
“That’s right, Andrew told me you have a son,” Sloane says. “I’m sure he keeps you running.”
She follows me over to the table. It’s all I can do to resist snarling out in frustration. I may like her, but I’d like her more at a distance. I get the feeling that Sloane never lets herself be in the background. She’s too gregarious and fun-loving. My complete opposite.
“He does, but Asher is my biggest blessing. I’m not sure where I’d be without him. He keeps me going on the darkest of days. He’s my whole world.” She looks at me and there’s something in her eyes. Is she wanting closure, just like Andrew? It’s not like I’m a threat to her. She must know that. Maybe she wants to know that I’m not going to try to be a presence is Andrew’s life. I could be imagining the awkwardness. Still, I feel compelled to address the elephant in the room. I muster up my confidence and let it rip. “Listen, Sloane, it doesn’t seem like you have any issues with me, but I just wanted to make sure you weren’t worried about Andrew and me. I know I looked like a deer caught in headlights during that elevator ride. I couldn’t help it. There were just so many times that I wondered if I’d ever run into him again. Then, he was just there …”
“You both looked like you’d seen a ghost.” I nod. That’s one way to explain it for sure. Kind of ironic since he ghosted me. I don’t tell her that, however. “I didn’t know your name or anything, really, just about your existence and what had happened back then,” she adds.
“It was, well, honestly, it was a period in my life that I’d rather forget.”
“Grace—”
“I want the best for Andrew. I always have. It seems that he has found happiness with you, and I'm glad. I want that for him and for you. I just wanted you to know that. I appreciate Andrew trying to give us both closure, but like I told him, it’s really not needed any longer.”
Her hand comes out to touch mine, squeezing it. There’s a kind look on her face. Maybe she can tell how broken I am, I’m not sure, but I smile at her and this one isn’t quite so fake. We sip on our drinks as she continues to make small talk about what she does for a living, and small stories about her life in Virginia. I find I don’t mind it. I’ve never really had a friend, so girl talk is kind of new to me. Thankfully, Sloane does most of the talking. I’m only expected to say a word here or there, which I manage without being too embarrassed. I get that weird feeling someone is watching me again. I don’t see anyone, though. I shake it off. Eventually, both of us get text notifications, making me jump slightly.
“Sounds like the guys are finally awake!” she says, tossing her empty coffee cup away in the trash can near our table. She pulls her phone out, smiling as she reads the message and begins typing away.
“Andrew wants to go for a ride, so I’m going to throw some jeans on,” she informs me, looking up from her phone.
“Have fun. I’m just going to call my son and hit the ladies’ room.”
“Oh, I can wait for you,” she offers.
“No, don’t worry about me,” I argue, my hand moving up to touch the heart pendant I’m wearing. It’s a locket with my son’s picture inside. I really wish I was with him right now. Sloane’s gaze moves to the locket, but she doesn’t say anything. “Seriously, I like the quiet and Asher isn’t used to me being gone, so I may be on the phone for a bit,” I reply. “Maybe I’ll see you later,” I add. It sounds like the friendly thing to say—something a normal person would offer. I take out my phone. My text is from Joe checking on me. I knew it wouldn’t be Ford. I’ve not even given him my number.