Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 97079 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97079 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
The girls traipse in with margaritas.
Flip beelines it for Essie. “What are you doing after fajita night? Want to watch a movie with me?”
“I gotta go for a walk.” I head for the door.
“Nate! Buddy, where you goin’?” Flip calls after me.
“Is he okay?” Dred asks.
It takes me five minutes to walk to the closest flower shop. I buy two dozen pink roses, a box of Essie’s favorite chocolates, and a pink heart pillow to add to her collection before I return to Tristan’s.
Everyone is sitting in the living room, drinking their cocktails and eating tortilla chips with salsa, queso, and Rix’s famous street corn dip.
Flip grins when he sees me. “Honey bear! You shouldn’t have!”
“I didn’t.” I cross over to Essie. “I got you…stuff.”
“Smooth…” Flip coughs.
I shoot him a dirty look. “Can you fuck off? You’re not helping.”
Flip’s eyes go comically wide. “Did I not do my part by getting your sorry ass off the couch? Was it not me who opened your eyes to the possibility of what you might be missing out on if you kept going the way you were? Did I not hook you up with a kickass therapist?”
I poke at my cheek with my tongue. “You did all those things, but I need you to not make this any harder or more awkward than it already is.” I turn back to Essie. “Can we go talk in the kitchen for a minute and leave the heckler here?”
“Sure.” Essie leaves her drink on the table. I would help her up if my arms weren’t laden with things. We leave our friends and Flip’s motor mouth and disappear into the kitchen.
“I got you flowers.” I hold them out.
“They’re really pretty.” She takes them from me. “Thank you.”
“And I got you a heart pillow and chocolate.” I thrust them at her. “They’re your favorite. The chocolate, I mean. And we both know you love heart pillows.”
“I do love chocolate and heart pillows.”
I shove my hands in my pockets. Pull them out. Run one through my hair.
“Did you go out and buy all this stuff for a reason?” she asks softly.
“Tristan and Flip were razzing me. I was nervous about seeing you today, and I’m pretty sure I’m fucking all of this up. Can I hug you, please?” My eyes close. Yeah, I’m really fucking this up. I crack a lid.
Essie looks up at me with soft eyes as she steps forward and wraps her arms around my waist. I fold my arms over her, soaking up the contact like a balm. “I’ve missed you so much, Ess. So fucking much.”
“I’ve missed you too,” she whispers. Eventually she pulls away. “How’s therapy?”
“Hard. It sucks a lot right now, but it’ll get easier with time.” I want to reassure her that I’m not going to stop going. “I know it’s important that I do the work so I can have the kind of relationships I deserve, and so I can be a good partner.”
She smiles softly. “I’m really happy to hear that.”
“Do you think maybe you’d want to go on a date with me?”
Her lips pull to the side, and her eyes drop to the floor for a moment before they meet mine. “Can I think about it?”
My stomach sinks, but I nod anyway. “Of course. Take all the time you need.”
CHAPTER 39
ESSIE
On Sunday afternoon, my phone pings.
Nate
How’s the thinking going?
Essie
As well as can be expected.
Nate
Is there anything I can do to help?
Essie
Send a selfie.
A picture of Nate with my favorite furrowed brow appears.
Essie
Amending: send a shirtless selfie.
Another picture comes through. This time Nate’s hair is mussed, and he’s standing in front of a full-length mirror in a pair of dress pants.
Nate
Is this helpful?
Essie
Very.
Send a shirtless selfie of you ironing your shirt.
Nate
???
Essie
It helps me think.
It takes a few minutes, but the selfie pops up.
Nate
Is there anything else you need?
Assistance picking an outfit, perhaps?
I’m here to support however I can.
Essie
Thanks. I’ll let you know if I think of something.
Monday evening, my phone pings again.
Nate
How’s the thinking going today?
Essie
Decent.
Nate
This seems like an upgrade. How are the roses holding up?
Essie
Quite well.
I snap a photo of the overflowing vase and send it to him.
Nate
Is that your bedroom? O_o
Where did you put the pillow?
I snap a close-up of the pillow and send it along.
Nate
Catalina!
Tell her I miss her.
I miss you.
My phone rings, and I don’t hesitate to answer. “Hi.”
“Hi. It’s good to hear your voice.” He sighs.
“It’s good to hear yours too.” I flop down on my bed and hug Catalina to my chest. “How’s work?”
“Good. It’s good. It’s been keeping me busy, which I need right now. Flip and Tristan are testing out the prototype with me tomorrow, so that’s exciting.”
“That’s great! This could be your engineering skate-design breakout, and right at the beginning of your career. You should be so proud of yourself, Nate. I know I am.”