Page 52 of Shattered

I smack away her accusing finger pointed directly at my face and will the heat to stay off my cheeks. “That is not my plan.” But maybe a part of me was hoping that Jason would be busy, and then I’d message Neilix to see what he’s up to.

“You’re such a liar.” Sarah chuckles, shaking her head. “Call me after and let me know how it went.”

I push off her car, getting ready to hug her goodbye as she opens her driver’s door. “You really want to hear how my visit with Jason goes?”

Sarah huffs out a laugh as she wraps me in her arms. “No. I want to know if you finally have sex with a cute, glass-wearing man.” She quickly gets in and closes her door in my face before I can respond, then blows me a kiss. I roll my eyes at her, but she’s already driving off.

Sarah’s all for love, cheering on anybody and everybody getting together. It’s probably why she’s fallen in love more times than I can count and doesn’t seem to hold a grudge about anything.

With a shake of my head, I walk to my car, but when I pull out my phone after sitting behind the wheel, I don’t immediately click on my text thread with Jason. Instead, I stare at Neilix’s name calling to me while my teeth abuse my bottom lip.

Despite what Sarah said, I didn’t plan on seeing him. I did think about it, though, and clearly, I still am. He’s probably too busy anyway or doesn’t want company at the last second.

Screw it. I click on his name.

Me: Hey, I’m still in the city and wanted to see if you’d like to grab some dinner if you’re not busy?

He reads it immediately, but there is a noticeable stretch of time with no response —not even the dots appearing and disappearing. Dropping my phone in my lap, I exhale and lean my head back. I told him this morning that I was spending the day in Chicago. If he wanted to see me, I’m sure he probably would have asked me, right?

We’ve been texting daily, but just a few here and there. It still feels like we’re on that unsteady ground, and probably will be for a while.

I’m just about to tell him not to worry about it when a reply finally comes through.

Neilix: I’m just finishing work. If you don’t mind me dressed like a construction worker…

A grin tugs at my lips.

Me: Not at all!

Neilix: Have a place in mind?

I smile, chewing on the corner of my bottom lip as I type.

Me: Yes, actually. I was thinking Italian. Quartino Ristorante. Do you know it?

Neilix: Yes. I’ll be there in half an hour.

My heart thuds with rushed beats after reading his text.

It doesn’t matter that it’s just dinner.

It doesn’t matter that we’re barely friends again.

And it doesn’t matter that he broke my heart all those years ago.

The excitement I have supersedes all of that. This is progress.

Twenty minutes later, the delicious scent of Italian cooking has my mouth watering as I step inside the restaurant. I’m seated at a table beside a wall, and I spend my time looking over the menu, trying to chill.

Doubts start creeping in while I wait, and I start thinking how I’m probably an idiot for trying to pursue any sort of friendship with him again. Too much time has passed. He’s different. I’m different.

Regardless of my obviously confused feelings, my eyes fly to the entrance when I notice someone enter, and all the chilling out I just did is erased when my heart starts pounding again and my stomach erupts with flutters.

Neilix stands by the door, dressed in cargo pants that make his thighs look thick, and a plain black T-shirt that highlights all the muscles he’s acquired over the past few years. His gaze sweeps the interior until he finds me and makes his way over.

“Hey.”

“Hey.” A small smile grazes his lips as he sits opposite me, but then it melts away, and he glances to the side, his posture far from relaxed.

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