Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 76136 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 381(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76136 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 381(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
I take the deepest breath I’ve ever taken before I press the button to call him. “Please don’t answer,” I beg the universe to help me out. One ring turns into two and my heart starts beating really fast. “I’m hanging up after three rings,” I mumble to myself as the second ring stops, and as soon as the third one starts, he picks up.
“Hey,” he says, his voice groggy, and it sounds like he was sleeping.
“You’re sleeping?” I say softly, my neck feeling warm as the nerves float through me. “I should have texted you instead.” The words come out of my mouth instead of staying in my head.
He laughs and something else goes on inside me, but I’m not going to pay any attention to it. “Were you hoping I wouldn’t have answered you?”
“No,” I say, laughing nervously. I know I’m lying and sadly I know that he also knows it was a lie. “Why don’t we do this tomorrow?” I try to push it off.
“Can’t,” he says right away, and I hear rustling from his side of the phone. “I have a game tomorrow.” I close my eyes.
“We can do this next week.” I am literally pulling at straws to cancel this thing all together. “Or how about the week after next?” I swing in my chair side to side, trying to come up with even more reasons.
“Are you done?” he asks and I stop mid swing.
“I am,” I start but then quickly add in, “But you sound exhausted.” My voice goes low.
“I’m fine. I can rest later.” His voice sends shivers running through me and I feel bad for not answering him before. Maybe we could have had this conversation on the phone and not face-to-face.
“Matthew.” His name rolls off my tongue so naturally. I think it’s the first time I’ve called him that since he came into my life again. “We can honestly do it another time. I promise I won’t blow you off or pretend I’m sick.” I chuckle. “Or someone died.”
“No, it’s fine,” he says adamantly. “Where do you want to meet?”
“I have no idea.” I think of places that we can meet at. Maybe I could mention Luke’s place, but then what if we run into people I know or who know Harlow or the girls, and then it’s like front page news?
“Do you want to come here?” he asks. I am already shaking my head, but curiosity gets the best of me.
“Where is here?” I close my eyes once I say the words. It’s none of my business where here is. Since the engagement was called off, is he living in a hotel? Did she move out of the house? Did he move out of the house? There are so many questions I want to ask, but I also know it’s none of my business.
“I live in town,” he replies, and I gasp.
“You live here?” The shock in my voice must be apparent because he laughs at me.
“Where did you think I lived?” he asks.
“I have no idea,” I tell him the truth. “I hadn’t really thought about it.”
“We need to catch up.” The minute I hear those words, my stomach gets tight.
“Why don’t we do it at another time?” I again try to push it off because maybe I’m just not ready to catch up. Maybe we’ve caught up and we should just leave it at that.
“Sofia, you have three choices, you can come here.” His voice is clear now. “I can come there or we can meet.” I wait five seconds to see if he is going to give me a fourth option. “So you pick, what’s it going to be?”
My leg starts to move up and down. “Why don’t you come to my house?” If we are going to do this, I’m going to do it on my turf. Besides, do I want to go to his place where Helena’s stuff is probably still lying around the house? Or is it?
“Are you sure?” he asks as I hear a door closing.
“No,” I answer honestly, “but you won’t let up, so this is where we’re at.”
He laughs. “Can you send me your address? I’ll go and get food and then head to your place.”
“Or we can just have coffee,” I suggest, tapping my desk.
“Send me the address, Sofia. I’ll send you an ETA once I get it.”
“Okay,” I say.
“I’ll wait on the phone while you send it.”
“What?” I ask, not sure I heard him right.
“Sofia, you are already a flight risk.” I close my eyes, rolling my lips. “So I’m not going to let you go until I have your address. Or, option number four.” I wait for it. “I pick you up at work and drive you home.”
“Wow,” I respond, shocked that he knows me a bit better than I thought. “As if I would not send you my address. I’m insulted.”