Page 250 of Unexpected Hero

Besides, Vanessa’s safer without me since I still haven’t decided yet whether I’ll choke her with my borrowed purse strap.

Kidding.

But the truth is… Vanessa is not my friend. She is not my problem.

I’m at peace with this decision.

After the last few days, I feel I’m entitled to choose myself.

Freya huffs at me. “Fine.”

“What’s happ...” Vanessa’s words trail off, her brows furrow. “We’re going? I want to dance. Letsie’s gonna to sing—” She cuts herself off with a hiccup.

Freya narrows her eyes at me, hefting Vanessa a step away. “Lettie, be careful. Text me when you leave with James so I know you’re safe. Call him right now.”

Call him? Ha. Hilarious.

I wave my phone at her. “I’ll be safe. I’m texting him now.”

“Love you.”

We air-kiss, and off they go.

I watch them get to the door, ensuring she’s able to make it without assistance.

Vanessa staggers, but she doesn’t go down.Her gait is eerily reminiscent of Stella’s when she had too much of Miss Paula’s watermelon moonshine. To be fair, too much is anything more than one glass.

Phone still in hand, I stare at the screen, looking over my recent text exchanges with James and debating how to respond.

Me

You up?

Dominant James

Yes, sugar bear. Are you okay?

Me

Yep. Just doing some thinking.

Dominant James

About what? Should I be worried?

Someone takes the vacated stool beside me as I ponder how to start.

One thing I’ve learned about him is that I have to explain my feelings logically and orderly; otherwise, he doesn’t fully get why I’m upset. Because his emotions don’t work the same way mine do.

I’m inclined to walk him through my swirling emotions. If I tell him how it all unfolded in my heart and mind, he’ll be ready to talk about it when I see him. And he’ll understand where I’m coming from better.

Yeah. That’s a good plan. It won’t be a knee-jerk reaction for once.

I’ll text out a little recap and tell him I want him to come see me sing, then we can discuss it face-to-face. All things in order, the way he likes it.

“Your friend is she come back?” the man next to me asks.

I glance to my left, seeing it’s the taller, more attractive Russian dude. “I don’t think so.” I refocus on my phone.

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