Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 77490 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77490 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
The missed call is from an unknown number, and there’s no voicemail. There’s also a text message alert that starts, “Hi Ava, this is Brax,” and my heart begins to pound as I quickly swipe across the screen to read more.
“I hope you don’t mind. I got your number from Lexy,” he writes. “I just wanted to make sure you’re okay. And apologize if I did something that upset you.”
My face heats with shame and my chest tightens at the knowledge that I made this man feel like he did something to hurt me.
“I’m fine, and you didn’t do anything wrong,” I quickly type and send. After a moment’s hesitation, I add, “The kiss was amazing.”
Three dots appear briefly before his reply comes through. “I’m glad. I thought so too.” After a pause, there’s another message: “But then … what happened?”
I bite my lip. I can’t have this conversation here, even if it’s a silent one conducted by text message. Plus, I need to get back into the shop, since Mrs. Todd already thinks I’ve been acting funny today. “I’m at work right now, and really shouldn’t be texting. Can I call you when I get home?”
His response comes right away: “Can I take you to dinner?”
AVA
A date! His invitation is such a relief, since I was sure my reaction to his kiss had ruined any hopes I had with Brax.
But a date! So far, I’ve mostly seen him at the tattoo shop or other very public places, and usually with my friends around. Can I handle a dinner with him one-on-one without getting flustered again? And what am I going to tell him about Erik?
Whatever happens, I definitely still owe him an explanation about why I ran from his kiss, so I suggest a restaurant in an area between my apartment and his work, and far from the church, because I don’t want to even think about what my parents would say if word got out that I was on a date with a huge tattooed man.
“Does six work?” he asks.
“See you then.”
It’s no surprise when I check myself in the mirror and see bright red cheeks. I blot them with cold water and take a couple of deep breaths.
I could use a few more minutes to calm myself down, but I don’t want to be gone so long that my absence is noticed.
Of course, Mrs. Todd is nearby when I exit the restroom. “Everything okay, Ava?”
I feel like she knows I’ve been hiding away texting a man, even though there’s no way she could. “Everything’s fine, Mrs. Todd. I think I just drank too much water with lunch.”
A lie to add to my growing list of sins. Not a big one, but I don’t feel good about it.
Even though the last couple of hours before closing are busy, the time drags. I’m preoccupied with thoughts about what to wear, what I’ll say, and how Brax will react to what I have to tell him.
Despite lying to my boss, I intend to be completely truthful with Brax, and I’m positive he’s not going to want to see me again after I tell him I kissed Erik.
I can’t mourn the loss of something I never had though, can I? I do know that I can’t deny the fact that I want to kiss Erik again. The big problem is that I desperately want to kiss Brax again, too.
It’s painfully obvious that I’m not cut out for dating. Surely women who have more experience don’t end up in predicaments like this.
By the time I get back to my apartment, I’ve nearly talked myself out of meeting Brax. I know it’s not going to end well, but the image of how he looked when I sped off after our kiss keeps me on track.
I don’t want to hurt him, and I can’t leave him thinking that he’s hurt me. I’ll give him an explanation, I’ll tell him about Erik, and then I’ll just accept whatever happens next.
After I change my clothes and freshen the minimal makeup I wear, I’m ready to head out, finally resolute about my mission.
When I open my door, Erik is on the other side. His hand is poised to knock, but he immediately lowers it, his face splitting into a warm grin. “Hi.”
“Hi.”
Our eyes are saying much more than our mouths as we look at each other. Somehow I can tell that he’s thinking about our kiss, just like I am. Then he takes in the fact that my purse is slung over my shoulder. “Going out?”
I look down at my shoes. “Yes.” When he doesn’t say anything, I add, “I’m having dinner with Brax.”
“Oh. You’re going on a date with him?”
“It’s probably not going to turn out to be a date. I need to apologize to him for running off yesterday … and I need to tell him about you.”