Page 3 of The Reborn

She sighed and sagged in the way I knew meant she’d gotten her hopes up—again—and had been let down. Again. “He was...”

“What? Was he rude? A manwhore? Does he talk with his mouth full?” As she kept shaking her head, I racked my brain. “Did he smell? He’s not... tell me he’s not a vegan.”

“No! Eric was perfectly nice, and he eats meat.”

I frowned. “Then what?”

“He’s too nice.”

I waited for the punch line. Apparently, there wasn’t one. “What?”

“I know,” she groaned. “What’s wrong with me?” She dropped her head back. “He was on time, he was a great conversationalist, we have a lot in common, he paid the bill, he walked me outside and said good night like a perfect gentleman.”

“Wow,” I deadpanned. “What a douche.”

She rolled her head to give me the evil eye. “That’s just it. He’s not a douche. I am.”

I stared at my friend, wondering if she was a closet serial killer, because this shit made no sense.

“The entire time he was talking so perfectly and ordering the perfect food and walking me outside like a perfect gentleman? All I could think about was him ripping off my clothes and slamming me against a wall and doing very ungentlemanly things to me. I was so frustrated when I went home, I had to take Bob for a long ride.”

Once that registered, I snort laughed.

“It’s not funny, Olivia!” But she was barely holding back her own smile.

“Right.” I sucked up my mirth and took a breath. “You want my advice?”

“Not really, but I guess I have no choice.”

“Right.”

She rolled her eyes.

“Call Gentleman Eric back. Ask him out again.” I lifted a hand when she began to sputter. “Take him out this time... something more relaxed. Hell, maybe he was worried he’d scare you off by pushing you. Did you give off any signals you were interested in that wall stuff?” At her blank stare, I shook my head. “I didn’t think so. Afterward, if you’re still feeling the same, kiss him. Throw the poor guy a bone... literally or figuratively. That’s up to you.”

“I’ll think about it.”

I rose to head to the door since I was already a couple minutes late for my first class. “You do that.”

“Oh, hey.” She stopped me with a hand to my arm. “I forgot. We still on for girls’ night with everyone this weekend?”

“As far as I know. Vanessa confirmed, I’m still waiting to hear from a couple of my cousins’ wives, but Deanna and Jamie are for sure in, plus you’re bringing your sister, right?”

“Yes, and Sofia is babysitting Elizabeth?”

“Yes.”

She stood to follow me. “Then I sense nachos, margaritas, and karaoke in our future.”

“As do I.”

We were laughing as we spilled into the hallway to head to our respective classrooms, just as Sofia strode our way, her face much more serious.

“Hey, Olivia,” she said, “can we talk after class?”

Whitney lifted a brow and stepped around us to go to her room. “See ya later.”

I nodded. “Sure. Is it important? We can chat now.”

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