I’ve got work piling up in my inbox, and instead of dealing with it, I’ve been staring at my phone for twenty minutes, trying to figure out how to respond to his text. I feel like I’m in high school.
Ugh. Maybe I should ask Ava for advice. She’s what, a junior?
This shouldn’t be hard!
I’m known for my witty banter and easy conversation. And yet, nothing about Ev Madigan is easy. Well, ok, the sex was easy. It was effortless. But that was ages ago. And we’re not doing that anymore, no matter how much I want to. And, for the record, he’s tempting as hell. But I’ve been down that relationship road before and it never ends well for me. Sometimes it ends in me pressing charges. So yea, I’m ignoring my hormones on this one.
I stare at my screen for the 47th time, hoping inspiration will strike.
Ev: Good morning, gorgeous. How’d you sleep?
What do I say to that?
Do I tell him that, though I may be gorgeous, I’m not his?
Do I tell him that my sleeping habits are none of his business?
Do I say that I didn’t sleep at all, but I did have a fan-fucking-tastic night, thanks for asking?
No. No. and Hell No.
Because no, I’m not his, but in a parallel universe, I totally would be.
No, because it’s kind of him to inquire about my sleep, and I might be snarky, but, dammit, I’ve got manners.
And Hell No, because I didn’t. I tossed and turned, all alone in my bed, yearning for something totally out of my reach.
What I want to do is curl up in my bed and send him a pic of me in my tanktop and shorts and tell him that I’m still sleepy.
But that does not fall within the confines of friendship.
What I want to text is that I miss the way he smells and can he tell me what cologne he wears, so I can spritz some on my sheets.
But that would be creepy, even if we were actually dating.
What I should text is: Fine, and you?
But that’s too impersonal.
A chime tells me that the phone Gods are on my side today, because Ev saves me from having to answer by sending another text.
Ev: Are you still sleeping? Have you been outside yet?
This is an easy one. It’s 10:30 in the morning, but I’m not embarrassed to be wearing my pjs.
Molly: I’m wide awake. But I’m working from home this morning, so I haven’t been outside just yet.
Monday nights are sleepover nights for Stella and her best friend with benefits, Joe. She stays at his place because he has a hot tub. So I’ve gotten into the habit of working at home on Tuesdays. I have the whole house to myself, and I can get up early and get a lot done.
Ev: Go outside.
Uhhhh…..
Molly: What are you, the sunshine police? I’ll get out there eventually. I might take a walk after lunch. The weather’s great today, but it’s supposed to get cold later this week.
Ev: Not a suggestion, Molls. Go outside.
Molly: You are not the boss of me.
