Page 16 of Stone Promises

Chad: Hells yeah. Ethan took me to his gym this morning. So watch out, I’ll be ready for you next time.

Next time? I can’t help the smile that extends from ear to ear.Wait—do I want a next time?

Melissa squeals again. “Oh, my God, you’re texting him right now, aren’t you? You are sitting here just nonchalantly texting Thad Stone. Hearts are breaking all over the world right now, you realize that?”

“Shut up, Mel. It’s not like that at all.”

She leans over to read our texts. “Not like that, my ass. The man wants in your pants, Mallory.”

My smile quickly fades. My friend has put it all into perspective for me. Of course he wants in my pants. He wants in everyone’s pants. Why should it matter that I’m not famous? Either way, I would just be another notch on his bedpost.

Me: Thanks for the invitation, but I have plans tonight. BTW, how did you get my number?

“Plans? Are you crazy?” Melissa asks.

“I’m volunteering tonight. It’s Tuesday,” I remind her.

Every Tuesday I volunteer at a place called Hope For Life. It’s a shelter for pregnant teens who’ve been kicked out by their parents and have nowhere to go. I’ve been going there for years.

“I think the girls can go one night without you,” she says.

Chad: Sucks for me. Pizza for one it is. About the number - do you want the real answer or a less-stalkerish one?

Mel squeals again. “He’s stalking you. You are being stalked by a superstar! Oh my God, you have to go out with him. Do not let that man eat alone. Or send me in your place.”

I shoot her a traitorous look. “Steve would not appreciate that very much.”

She scoffs at the mention of her husband. “Steve who?” she says, laughing.

Me: I’ll go with real for one hundred, Alex.

Chad: LOL. When your dad hit the bathroom last night, I saw your cell phone bill on the kitchen counter. I may have peeked inside.

Me: I thought my dad gave it to you.

Chad: Richard was pretty tight-lipped about you.

Me: He’s just being protective. Lunch break almost over. Gotta go.

“Liar,” Melissa says, looking at the clock on her wall.

Chad: How about tomorrow night?

“Christ Almighty, he’s begging,” Mel says, fanning herself. “Will you just put the poor man out of his misery already?”

Me: Aren’t you busy promoting your movie?

Chad: That’s mostly during the day, interviews and stuff.

Me: Oh. Can I get back to you on that?

Chad: Always. Have a great day, Mal.

Me: Thanks. You too.

“Are you crazy?” Melissa asks. “Do you know how many people would kill to be you right now?”

“Stop being a fangirl for two seconds, Mel, and think about it. I’m not going to be his New York booty call. What else could he want? He’s only in town for a week. If he really wanted to reconnect with old friends, he’d be contacting Julian, too.”

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