Page 41 of Now That We Don't Talk

I chew on my lip while waiting to see if he’ll reply.

Good luck. Are you excited?

I stare at his message. Truthfully, I don’t know if excited is a good description for how I’m feeling. Cash seems like a great person, but I haven’t had enough time with him to say he’s the one for me. I wait a few seconds before responding.

Yes. Why do you ask?

Maybe he’s just making conversation. He could be really trying to get along with me. My phone buzzes.

Just curious…

My heart picks up speed. Why am I having these intense reactions? Admittedly I’m concerned I’m falling under the Mac Evans spell—a place I never thought I’d be. Suddenly I realize it’s time to meet Cash. I drop my phone into my bag without replying to Mac’s text. I won’t let him get in my head. I’m all in to enjoy my lunch date.

I’m having a better time on my date than I hoped. Our lunch is delicious, and we’ve had an enjoyable conversation. We have a lot in common, so our conversation flows with ease. So what’s my problem? Well—that would be the text Mac sent me right before I walked into this restaurant. I’m frustrated with myself for letting him get in my head. Why is he curious about my date? It shouldn’t matter to him. None of my dates have ever mattered to him in all the years we’ve known each other. I don’t know what’s happening, but ever since he came back to town, I feel unsettled and confused. This isn’t me. I’m usually steady and focused. And the fact that Mac is making me feel this way is infuriating me.

“Vivian?”

I freeze. Crap. Has Cash been talking to me this whole time? Meanwhile my brain is thinking about a hockey player.

“Oh, sorry,” I say with a nervous laugh. “I must’ve zoned out for a second.”

“Ah, I’m boring you,” he says with a chuckle.

“No, not at all,” I exclaim.

“I’m only teasing.”

“I’m sorry,” I exclaim.

He places his hand on mine. “Don’t apologize. It happens to all of us.”

I grin. I can understand why Katie is so dead set on this working. From what I can tell, Cash has all the qualities I want in a future relationship.

“So, tell me what you do for fun, you know, when you aren’t working?” I ask. I feel like he’s been carrying the conversation thus far so I need to flip the script.

He sighs. “I wish I could tell you. I feel like I’m always working.”

“Sounds familiar.”

“I used to play tennis,” he says. “And I like action movies, trying new restaurants, and poker.”

“Really? You play poker?”

“Not well,” he says with a laugh. “Believe it or not my grandfather taught me and my cousins to play when we were teenagers.”

“Really?”

“Yes. My mother was horrified.”

I giggle.

“What do you like to do in your free time?”

I give a thoughtful look. “Well, I too love my work. But I also like Pilates, going out with friends, and watching the Real Housewives shows of any city.”

“I’ve never seen a Housewives show.”

“Smart. Don’t watch unless you want to be hooked.”

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