Page 51 of The Dallas Dilemma

“I told her I’d text her when I get home from work and she said okay,” I say, frowning at the memory of her lackluster response.

“Well, I guess you’ll find out when you text her. If she blows you off again, then you’ll know something is up.”

He slaps me on the back with that, then walks away. I know he was trying to help, but I don’t need to wait to see what Josette will do when I text her later. I know her. I know something is wrong. I just don’t know what it is.

When we break for lunch, I pull out my phone to see I have no messages. Biting back my disappointment, I open my thread with Josette and tap out a text.

Me:Hey. How are you feeling today?

I set my phone aside to dig some food out of my lunchbox. Unwrapping the turkey sandwich I made this morning, I take a big bite. Then another.

I’m nearly finished with it by the time Josette replies to my text.

Josette:Feeling better. Thanks.

That’s it. Nothing more, nothing less. I’m not usually one to try to read tone into a text message, but hell, that one seems distant. Aloof.

Did I do something wrong? I don’t think I did, but now I can’t stop playing yesterday morning in my head over and over, trying to figure out why Josette went from hot to cold in an instant the way she did. She said she’d just remembered she had plans with Callie when she rushed out, but there was a bit of panic in her expression and her choppy movements didn’t really fit the situation. And now, she’s avoiding me and being distant in her text messages.

I just don’t know what to think.

I try to push her and the whole situation from my mind for the rest of the day, but as soon as I finish working, it all comes rushing right back in. I check my phone to see no new messages, and though I know I should probably leave it to Josette to reach out when she’s ready, I can’t resist trying one last time.

I wait until I’m home, showered, and dressed in a pair of jeans and a nice t-shirt before texting her.

Me:Hey, Josette. I’m home and starving. Want to grab some food? We can eat out or order in. I have no preference.

Several long minutes pass before I get a response. And it’snotthe one I’d hoped for.

Josette:Sorry, but I’m wiped out tonight. I just want to sleep. I’d love to hang out tomorrow, though.

Me:Okay, sounds good. Get some rest. Xoxo

I added that last bit on a whim, hoping she’d respond with something warm in return, but I got nothing. I’m disappointed. I’m also tempted to knock on her door, but I manage to refrain, deciding the best course of action is to give her time and space for whatever she’s going through, whether it be physical, mental, or emotional. I can’t––and won’t––force my presence on her, and I can wait until tomorrow night to find out if something is wrong between us.

I really am starving, so I grab my keys and wallet and head out the door. As I take the elevator down to the first floor, I decide to hit O’Malleys. It’s casual enough for what I’m wearing, the food is good, and the beer is cold.

It’s a short drive over, and once I park, I head inside.It only takes a quick glance around the half-empty dining room to spot Linc and Royal seated near the bar. I head over to say hi before finding my own table.

“Join us,” Linc says before I can make an excuse to leave.

I glance at Royal, and he smiles and nods. “Take a seat.”

Thanking them, I slide into an empty chair while Royal waves at someone behind me. A few seconds later, a waitress delivers a frosty glass. Royal fills it with beer from a nearly full pitcher on the table before passing the glass my way. The waitress waits while I peruse a menu, then promises to deliver soon when I order the cheese fries. Apparently, Royal and Linc have already ordered their food.

“So, I take it things didn’t go well?” Linc asks me, and I shake my head with a sigh.

“What didn’t go well?” Royal asks.

Linc looks at me for permission, and I nod, then he turns to his brother, saying, “Dallas has been seeing Joey, and now she’s avoiding him, and he has no idea why.”

Royal’s gaze shoots toward me, his eyebrows hiked up as he says, “I didn’t know that.”

“Yeah,” I murmur, still hung up on Linc calling Josette “Joey.” She never told me she had a nickname.

“Callie didn’t tell you?” Linc asks Royal, and that one shakes his head.

“Not a word.”

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