“I mean, can you believe it?” she grumbled bitterly over the phone. “He sent me a text message to break up with me. Who even does that? Would it have killed him to at least call?”
“I’m sorry,” I sighed for the fourth time that hour. “That really does suck.”
“Josh was such an asshole. Why did you let me date him?”
I chuckled, amused. “I told you when you first started going out that he wasn’t a good idea. You were the one who didn’t listen to me.”
“I distinctly remember you telling me to ask him out first.”
“Yes, but then I realized after your horror of a first date that he was bad news. You were the one who insisted on forgiving him for leaving you stranded after the date.”
“That was a pretty big red flag, huh?”
I clicked my tongue. “Definitely. And the fact that he supposedly forgot his wallet and made you pay? Yeah, red flags all around.”
“He didn’t even pay me back,” she groaned. “I feel like such an idiot. I wasted two years on him. Do you think he’s already moved on? Maybe he’s found another girl already.”
“Don’t do that to yourself, Hannah. He isn’t worth it.”
“Do you think he broke up with me because I’m in Spain?”
“I’m not sure. But if that’s really what happened, then he’s a coward.”
“A total coward,” she agreed bitterly.
“I’m sorry,” I said again. “At least you’re free now. Maybe you’ll find a hot Spanish hunk while you’re over there.”
“Have I ever told you that you’re a genius?”
“You don’t have to tell me. I already know.”
“Such a smartass. There’s a bunch of hot dudes in my class, but I don’t know. Maybe it’s good that I’m over here, away from all that toxicity. I think I just need to be by myself for a while, you know? Grow up a little.
“If you think that’s best. I’m personally one hundred percent supportive.”
“Thanks, Lara. You really are the best. Anyways, what about you? I feel like I’ve been talking your ear off. You know me, blah, blah, blah.”
“I’ve really got nothing to report. Schools the same as always. I picked up a few hours at work. That writing workshop I mentioned is going well, the one led by Charles Hill? Other than that, nothing too–”
“Hold on,” she interrupted me. “You said nothing about Charles Hill being there. What the hell, Lara? Why didn’t you lead with that?”
“It’s not that big of a deal. I thought I told you.”
“Lara. You get to share the same air as Charles freaking Hill. I need details, and I need them now. Is he hot? What does he look like? Is he as much of a nerd as everyone pictures him to be?”
“He’s…” I trailed off, thoughts of Chuck filling my head. Where was I even supposed to start? “Chuck’s great. He’s nice.”
“Did you just call Charles freaking Hill ‘Chuck?’”
“Yeah, he said I could call him that.”
“Oh my God, you’re on a first name basis with Charles freaking Hill.”
I laughed loudly, “Hannah, calm down. You’re going to work yourself up.”
“Too late for that. Is he hot? Tell me, tell me, tell me.”
I nibbled on the inside of my cheek, suppressing a wry smile. “Yeah. He’s stupidly hot.”