Page 28 of Selfless

I wave him off. “Then keep it.”

I’m more pissed that he sent me flowers than anything else. We have both decided it was over. Can’t we just leave it at that? Can’t we both just take our broken hearts and move on?

My phone rings, and I pick it up without looking at it. I bet it’s Ryder. “What?” I snap.

“Oh, uh …” a male’s voice stumbles. “I … is this a bad time?”

“Who is this?” I demand.

“Oh, so sorry. It’s Nick.”

I sigh and run a hand through my hair. “I’m sorry, Nick. It’s just one of those days,” I say, falling down into my chair. I look up to see Thomas still cradling the vase like it’s his firstborn.

“Typical Monday, huh?”

Not really but I say, “Yeah.”

He clears his throat. “I just wanted to make sure we were still on for tonight?”

I roll my eyes. “Yes.” The man sounds so nervous. Not sure why since it’s just dinner. I’m not gonna blow him under the table or take him back to my apartment. I think I need to close my legs for a little while. Obviously, I don’t know what I’m doing.

“Okay. And you said you liked Chinese food, right?”

“Yes.”

“Okay. Great.” He laughs nervously. “I just want it to be perfect.”

I let my head fall forward and close my eyes. “Nick, I don’t know what you’re thinking, but it’s just dinner—”

“Oh, I know.” He interrupts me with another uneasy laugh. “Please don’t think I have any expectations.”

“I hope not because I don’t,” I say truthfully.

I’m gonna kill Becca and Thomas for making me say yes to this date!

“What time should I pick you up?” he asks quickly. “Reservations are for seven.”

“I’ll meet you there,” I tell him.

“Are you sure? I don’t mind ….”

“I’m sure,” I say before he can keep talking. “I’ll see you then,” I assure him and then hang up.

I look up at Thomas, and he smiles down at me from the other side of the desk. “I’m gonna kill you.”

His smile widens. “Make sure to bury me with this vase.” Then he turns around and all but bounces out of the room with the vase in his hands.

“What the fuck are you doing, Ash?” I can’t help but ask myself. But even I don’t know what I’m thinking.

CHAPTER SEVEN

RYDER

I look down at my phone as Milton drives me home from another long day of work.

Me: Please call me.

I had sent that to Ashlyn twenty minutes ago and no response. I’ve been calling and texting her all day and nothing. She has officially written me off.

---