Nearly choking on my tea, I held up my hands. “Whoa! Whoa! Holy hell, woman! Don’t even speak such words. This girl has no plans for kids in the near future. Fuck, I’m not even having sex and the last time I checked . . . you can’t get knocked up from a vibrator.”
Alex looked around as she put her finger up to her lips. “Why do you have to talk so loud?”
“Why do you have to say such things? My God! There is already something in the water with you and Libby both getting pregnant. I’m sure Lauren is probably going to be announcing something in the next few months. Well . . . no thank you. I’m not having kids anytime soon.”
Alex’s eyes looked sad. “Grace, do you not want kids?”
My heart instantly hurt as I plastered on a fake smile. “Someday I’m sure I’ll want kids. Right now, it is the furthest thing from my mind. All I want right now, Alex, is to move on and have a good time.”
“Grace, I talked to Noah the day Lauren got out of the hospital. He desperately needs to talk to you.”
Swallowing hard, I fought to hold back my tears. “W-what did he say?”
Shaking her head, Alex said, “He asked how Lauren was and then for your number. I gave it to him. He said he needed to talk to you.”
Feeling my entire body start shaking, I quickly stood up. “Why would you give him my phone number, Alex? He’s married for Christ’s sake! Besides, it’s been over two weeks since Lauren left the hospital. He must not be that desperate to talk to me. Damn it, Alex. Why did you give him my number?”
Alex motioned for me to sit down. “Grace, just give me one second to explain.”
Grabbing my food and drink, I glared at Alex. “I have to go; I have to head home and grab a book a forgot and head to class.”
“Grace! Let me finish talking!” Alex called out.
Racing to the door, I pushed it open and quickly dragged in the fresh air. Glancing at my watch, I sighed. I was going to be late for class now. Quickly making my way to my car, my phone buzzed. Pulling it out of my purse, I saw it was Alex.
Alex: I didn’t mean to upset you. It’s just he seemed desperate. You really need to talk to him, Grace.
Rolling my eyes, I threw my purse and phone onto the passenger seat and headed back to the house I shared with Alex and Will. Now that Luke, Libby, Lauren, and Colt had moved out, it seemed cold and empty all the time. Even when they did live there, I spent more time at Noah’s place than I did at home. Well, at least I did until I freaked out and pushed him away.
Wiping my tears away, I concentrated on thinking about nothing but my date tonight with Doug. I’ll deal with Alex later. Right now I needed to push Noah Bennet far from my memory. I needed to move on and this date tonight was long overdue.
Grace
Rushing into the house, I looked for my book before heading upstairs to my room to check my makeup. Alex just talking about Noah had my emotions all over the place. Closing my eyes, I thought back to the day I ran into him at the hospital. His beautiful smile that about dropped me to the ground replayed over and over in my mind.
Then I saw her. His wife. Standing next to him. She didn’t seem at all like his type, but hell, maybe I was the one who wasn’t his type.
Sitting down on the bed I thought about all the things he had said to me. Had he meant a word of it? He sure moved on fast after I told him I needed some time. Shit. He even left A&M.
Dropping my head into my hands, I cried. “Jesus, Grace. It’s your fault. You pushed him away until he had no choice but to fall into the arms of another woman.”
With a sinking feeling in my heart, I fell back onto the bed and let out a scream as I stared up at the ceiling. Sitting back up, I shook my head to clear my thoughts. “What’s done is done. It’s time to move on.”
Picking up my phone, I sent Doug a text. We had exchanged phone numbers the other day for a project we were working on.
Me: Let’s skip the date part and move straight to dessert.
It didn’t take Doug long to respond back.
Doug: Sounds like a solid plan. My place or yours?
My hands started shaking and I fought the urge to tell him I suddenly got sick and had to cancel.
Me: Yours. Pick me up at seven.
Doug: Be ready to have your world rocked.
Rolling my eyes, I let out a sigh. “Ugh. Jesus H. Christ. Why do all guys think their dicks are the greatest thing since apple pie?”