Page 51 of The Southern Thirst Trap

“What did you want the most when you got back from your trip with him?” she asks, leveling me with a look that lets me know she’s about to dish out some especially tough love, and I’m not going to enjoy this part.

“I wanted him to talk to me instead of ghosting me.”

“That’s not all, and you know it. You wanted arelationshipwith him. You wanted to be the one who changed him for good, no matter what he told you about his intentions. He’s offering that now, isn't he?”

“I don’t know what he’s offering, really. I'm not even sure he knows. It’s such a foreign concept for him I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s completely winging it just to see if he can.”

“Why are you such a cynic all of a sudden? Normally, you’d be willing to give someone the benefit of the doubt and would take it at face value. Is it because he broke your heart before?”

“This is Zander, I’m allowed to be cynical about him,” I say, catching the note of defensiveness lacing my tone.

She tsks and shakes her head at me. “I was there, remember? I held you when you were falling apart. I know you were heartbroken. You wanted something more with the man and were devastated when you couldn’t get a hold of him after your holiday, and then even more so when you found out you were pregnant. It took a while for you to be okay not having him in your life, and I think that happened because you were mad and wanted to prove you could do it on your own to spite him.”

“Okay, I’m a spiteful wretch who doesn't trust the guy now.”

I drain what remains in my glass and feel the warmth of the alcohol seeping into my blood and radiating out from my stomach. I don't have the heart to fight with her or continue lying to myself on this. I’m usually truthful to a fault, but it’s hard on this one topic tonight. I don't think I have the fight in me at all when it comes to Zander.

She’s right. I wanted this effort from him so badly five years ago. I wanted him to say everything he’s saying now, just back then. I’ve had five years to harden my heart against him, but it doesn't change what I wanted to hear all along, or that it lights up a part of my heart to have him saying it even now.

“Fine, you know it all bitch. I’ll give him a chance. And hey, maybe I’ll even get something fun out of it. I could finally get fucked properly for the first time in forever before it all comes crashing down on my head.”

“That’s my girl. Get that good dick, no matter what it costs.” Paloma grins at me, and I burst into tipsy giggles.

“God, what I would do for that right now,” I admit on a groan. My phone vibrates next to my hand on the table and I look down out of habit. Zander’s name flashes across the screen. “Damn, if it isn’t trouble calling. It’s like he knew I was talking about fucking him with this timing.”

“Well, you better answer when the dick is making itself available like that. And I’ll support you, no matter what you decide to do. I could still carve his eyes out for how he treated you, even if he fucks you like a champ. This is your life, Lolo. If you really want Zander, even a little bit, give him a chance and see what he’s like off that island, in the real world, now.”

thirty

Zander

“Wereyourearsburning?”Harlowe’s greeting when she answers my call is so unexpected it makes me chuckle softly. The din of a crowd can be heard over the line, and I instantly wonder where she is, and who she’s out with. Is she on a date? No, she wouldn’t have answered my call so easily. She could be with friends.

“Why? Are you entertaining your friends with stories about my cock?” I ask, fishing for the information I crave and leaning back in the smooth leather seat of the Karma where I decided to call her before leaving the tower. I enjoy the rasp of her voice, and, if I’m being honest, the idea that she’s talking about me. I was planning to ask if she’s free tonight, but that can wait if I’ve been on her mind. I want to know the details.

“Not exactly,” she says, her voice lowering. “But if you want me to kiss and tell, I can share that you liked having a finger up your ass when I sucked you off.”

I sit up straighter. “That is patently false information, and you know it,” I say, a prickle of unease going through me at the thought of her sharing something like that with the wrong person. A nasty gossip site like the Atlanta Haute List would share even the most untrue of accusations about me just because they enjoy highlighting my family for some reason.

“I’m kidding, Zander, relax. I wasn’t telling anyone about the weird things you like in the bedroom. And who knows what could have changed in the last five years? Maybe youdolike your ass played with now. I won’t judge you for it.”

I hear the clink of a glass and wonder if she’s drinking, and that’s why she’s in this rare playful mood that reminds me so much of the woman I pursued with a passion just to turn away when I was done with her. But that’s the thing I’ve come to realize. I was never done with Harlowe Sorenson, and I don’t think I ever will be.

“What are you doing right now?”

“Enjoying a ladies’ night out. We’re somewhere downtown. Brick and Barley, I think? Something pretentious and overpriced for the craft cocktails and food we ordered. We’re celebrating my cookbook being a bestseller and getting a cooking show option. But hey, the drinks are strong and the food is decent.” I hear an unintelligible sound from Harlowe’s end of the conversation. “And the company is amazing. That’s Paloma, by the way. She’s the company and she wants you to know she’s awesome.”

I hear laughter, and I wonder how long they’ve been at this. I tap the restaurant name into my phone to see where it’s located. Not far from the tower. I type out a quick text to Javi and return my attention to Harlowe. “Want even better company?”

“Sure, why the hell not? The more the merrier,” she says, sounding as relaxed as I've heard her since she crashed back into my life. Thank fuck for whatever cocktails she’s been enjoying to have loosened her up this much.

I hear a protest over the line and bet Paloma isn’t as on board with having her ladies’ night crashed. But that’s what Javi’s for. He’ll wingman for me and not think twice about it. I saw the way he looked at Paloma when he rear-ended Harlowe last month.Was it just last month?It feels like a lifetime ago already. It won't be a hardship for him to talk to Harlowe’s pretty yet prickly friend, who is likely not a fan of mine if she’s been around for a while. I wouldn’t like me either, if I were in her position.

“I’ll be there in ten. Enjoy another cocktail on me. I want to treat you ladies for your celebration.”

“Don’t mind if we do. We’re getting the bibimbap bowl and the flank steak sliders if you’re paying. Hear that, Paloma, Zander has our tab. Get whatever you want.” Harlowe pauses, listening to Paloma. “She says she doesn’t mind you joining us. She’s ordering dessert, too.”

I laugh. “Fine, just leave room on the table for my drink when I get there.”

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