Suddenly I realize I’m done guessing. It’s too complicated and confusing to go out with Jimmy. He’s handsome, popular and sweet – and those were perfectly good reasons to go out with him at first, especially considering no one like him had ever shown me any interest before. But I’m tired of wondering whether something is wrong with me. And clearly, there’s not – Jordan literally couldn’t keep his hands off me both times we made love.
My mind made up, I text Jimmy and ask him to join me for breakfast in the cafe on the edge of campus. It’s time to sort this out once and for all.
And it’s as if the boy expects it. Because when he walks in he kisses me like he usually does – vacant and automatic – and sits down opposite me. Jimmy doesn’t even seem curious as to why I asked him to meet me, but simply orders a coffee.
“Jimmy, look,” I start. “I just want to clear the air with you.” He doesn’t look worried or curious, only mildly interested. I realize this is how he’s always looked at me: with mild interest, and no passion whatsoever. How did I miss this before? Did it really take meeting Jordan for the coin to drop? Did it take giving myself over to the electric, irresistible charge of such an alpha male, to realize my own boyfriend isn’t into me? I guess that makes sense – and I’m ready to accept it.
“I don’t think this is really working,” I say, trying to sound sure of myself. He blinks, then inhales hard as if taking in a tough bit of information. I’m about to start apologizing, but then he exhales and it’s a sigh of relief. Literally. What the hell?
“I’m so glad you mentioned it, Katie,” Jimmy says carefully. “I’ve been feeling the same, but I wanted it to work out really bad.”
I’m astonished at his reply. “Really?” I ask.
“Yeah,” he nods, throwing me sad puppy dog eyes. “I genuinely thought it might work out between us.” I shake my head with disbelief, but Jimmy continues. “I like you, and think you’re great,” he says, smiling gently. “But maybe we’re not right for each other. Maybe we should see other people, and who knows? It’s a big world out there.”
Wow. This was easier than I thought it would be. I guess he really wasn’t that into me. The thought doesn’t make me sad, it just reinforces that breaking up is the right thing to do – especially since I’ve been sleeping with his dad.
“Yeah. Well, I guess I’m glad we’re on the same page,” I say, sighing. Jimmy gets up and hugs me like a friend or a brother. And then we part ways. Just like that, it’s over between me and Jimmy, the hottest, most sought-after guy on campus. A week ago this would have torn me apart and sent me sobbing to my dorm room. But now, things have done a one eighty given what’s happened in the last two days with his dad.
I sit back in my chair in the cafe and watch Jimmy through the window as he strolls across the campus grounds and out of my life.
But then a thought strikes me: how am I going to see Jordan again now that Jimmy and I have broken up? I didn’t think this part through. I’d been so preoccupied with doing the right thing that I hadn’t stopped to think about the logistics. Oh no. Jimmy was the thread that connected us, so now that that’s gone, how will this work? It would be so inappropriate for me to seek the billionaire out myself. So should I wait and see if he comes to find me? That would be inappropriate, too. I sigh, knowing deep inside that the best route is to try and forget about both Marks men, junior and senior, and to just chalk it off as a crazy experience. But that seems impossible, given what I’ve felt and experienced at the hands of my lover.
My phone buzzes, shocking me out of my reverie. Nicole is calling.
“Hey,” I say, answering the phone.
“Where are you?” she says on the other side.
“What do you mean?” I ask, genuinely confused.
“Um girl, we had a library date? Like half an hour ago! Get here quick, I can’t be seen here alone!” she hisses, making me roll my eyes and laugh.
“Sorry, I totally forgot, I’ll be there in a minute,” I say hastily, and hang up before she can complain any more. Wait until I tell her the reason I was late – she won’t be complaining then. Nicole won’t be able to pass up hearing the news about my break-up. And what’s more, I trust her enough to know she won’t create any gossip with the information. I’m suddenly filled with a burning desire to tell Nicole everything because events have been so confusing lately, and hurry back up to my dorm to collect my books before rushing to the library.