“That’s why I asked you to come over. I think he’s avoiding me.”
“Like today, or you’ve noticed for a while?”
As I finish up cooking the pancakes, I tell her all about last night and how Easton has acted for the past few weeks. She listens as I explain how I haven’t been to his place for a while and how he’s apparently moving.
Her eyes expand as I tell her. “I didn’t know he was moving.”
“Yeah, me neither.”
I place a serving of pancakes and bacon on a plate and pass it to her. She sits at the dining table as I arrive with my own plate and the bottle of syrup. After we eat, Gia takes a quick shower and I dig in my dresser, looking for something she’ll agree to wear.
As I clean up the kitchen, waiting for her to change, her cell phone rings again. I have the urge to pick up the phone but she would probably kick my ass if I did, so I let it go to voicemail. A few minutes later, she steps into the kitchen wearing a pair of my bootcut jeans paired with a light pink pastel blouse. Her face is free of makeup and her black hair is pinned into a messy bun.
I’m surprised by her appearance. “Wow, I’ve never seen you look so…so normal.”
She shrugs her shoulders. “Thanks. I’m kind of digging the new look. So, I have a plan about Easton.”
Planting my hands on her shoulders, I pray she has a good plan. “Okay, please tell me it’s not something outrageous, like stalking or something.”
She gives me a conniving smirk. “No, we are going to get your friend Duke to investigate him.”
I immediately start shaking my head no. “Nope, not doing it. I won’t get him involved in my personal life.”
Her face immediately forms into a pout. “Come on, it’s brilliant.”
I stand my ground. “Not happening.”
“Well, then your only options left are to tell him how you feel or stop fucking him. Other than that, you have no other choices.”
“I think you’re right.”
“Exactly. Wait, right about what? You’re going to talk to him?”
“I think I need some space for a while. Maybe that’s the issue. I want him but not enough to be treated in the way that you’re treating Brad. It’s fucked up and you know it.”
“You’re really going to say no to him? What if he wants to come over tonight?”
“Then I’ll just tell him that he can come over but we won’t be hooking up.”
“Sure you will. I’d love to see how long that lasts.”
“It’s a good plan. If he wants to be in a relationship, then he’ll come over no matter what. He’ll enjoy spending time with me.”
Gia’s lips curve into a hesitant smile. “Listen, I’m trying to be real with you. Don’t get your hopes up, okay?”
A low sigh escapes my lips. “Okay.”
Gia grins and pulls me to the bedroom. “Come on. We are going to spend the day together. I’ll take you to all my favorite spots. Hurry up and get dressed.”
She practically pushe
s me into my own bedroom. I glimpse at my reflection, taking in the woman in front of me.
Strong. Confident. Elegant.
Melanie
“SO, WHERE TO NEXT?” I glance at Gia as we exit the Manhattan Mall hauling bags of new clothing.