Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 56831 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 227(@250wpm)___ 189(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56831 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 227(@250wpm)___ 189(@300wpm)
I replied: Can’t, sorry. I’m out of town with a hot guy. Then I smiled at the camera and sent a selfie, making sure to get both the crest on the robe as well as the pineapple in the shot.
The phone rang in my hand two seconds later. When I answered, Pete yelled, “I need details! What hot guy? And where are you? It looks expensive.”
“I’m at a resort in San Diego. It’s a long story.”
“And I want to hear all of it, so start talking.”
I began by telling him what had happened at work the night before, and he said, “I’m really sorry about your dad, Romy. Are you okay?”
“I’m still trying to process it, but I seem to have shifted from sad and stunned to angry—for now, anyway. It pisses me off, knowing he could have come to see me any time over the past twenty-seven years, but he never bothered.”
“He was a deadbeat, just like my dad, and he didn’t deserve you.” I could hear Pete shifting the phone, and then he said, “So, not to brush that stuff aside—it’s obviously important.”
“But you’re dying to hear about the hot guy,” I guessed.
“I really am! When and where did you meet him? And how the hell are you on a trip with him, after less than twenty-four hours?” After I filled him in on the details, he said, “Damn. He sounds amazing.”
“He is, although he already gave me the ‘I can’t promise anything after this’ speech.”
“That doesn’t mean anything,” Pete insisted. “It’s just what guys say. Even if they think we’re perfect and amazing, they always have to lead off by telling us they’re not looking for a commitment. I think it’s their way of covering all the bases—so, if it doesn’t work out for whatever reason, they can claim they warned us.”
“Well, it sucks.”
“I know, but don’t read too much into it. Think of it as a standard disclaimer, like the warning they put on shampoo. They know you’re not going to drink it, but they still think they have to print ‘for external use only’ on the bottle.”
“Wait, how is that relevant?”
Pete sounded mildly exasperated. “He doesn’t really assume he’s going to break up with you, just like the shampoo company doesn’t actually think you’re going to guzzle their product. They’re just like, practicing due diligence, or whatever it’s called.”
“Okay, got it.”
“You know, normally I’d be a little worried about you running off with a stranger,” he said, “but this guy sounds sweet. Besides, if he was planning to murder you, he could have done it last night, while you were sleeping. And the fact that he got you your own room tells me he’s respectful. I like that.”
“I do too, although two suites are overkill. There are at least two bedrooms in this one, maybe three. I haven’t even finished exploring all of it yet. I think we could have shared it and still maintained plenty of personal space.”
“Hang on, I have a customer.” I could hear him greet one of our regulars by name. After he poured her a beer, he came back on the line and we chatted for a couple more minutes. Then a few more customers came into the bar, and I promised to talk to him soon before we ended the call.
Next, I texted my brother. I started with: I have some news. It’s about my dad.
For the second time that evening, the phone rang in my hand. When I answered, Adriano asked, “Did that asshole finally get in touch with you?”
“Not exactly.”
I repeated the story yet again, and he said, “Shit, Romy, I’m sorry that happened to you. Does Mom know?”
“Not yet, because as soon as I tell her, she’s going to go off on a guilt spiral. You know how she is. She’ll blame herself for the fact that he was such a jerk and never came to see me, only the guilt will be much worse this time. I just can’t deal with that right now.”
“No, I totally get it. Want me to tell her for you?”
“Thanks for the offer, but I’ll tell her. I just need a little time.”
“Do you want me to come home? Jack and I were planning to return to Vegas in two weeks, but we can move some stuff around—”
“No, it’s okay. I’m with a new friend. He’s been great about listening and being there for me, so I’m not dealing with this alone.”
“New friend as in, some guy you’re dating?”
“Something like that.”
Adriano tried to sound casual as he asked, “So, who is he?” He hated everyone I’d ever dated, and I knew he was gearing up to hate this person, too. But first, he was going to pretend he was open-minded and accepting.
“His name’s Marcus, and I met him at mom’s bar.”