Page 57 of Shame

And then one night, my phone vibrates. Three messages, sent back to back.

Javi: Hey, sorry for the radio silence, but I was away for work and spotty reception.

Javi: Legit spotty. I was in Resolute Bay.

Javi: But I’m back in Toronto for the weekend, and I’m interested in meeting up for a coffee sometime. Any time, really.

I grin like an idiot.

Grace: Where are you right now? I’m downtown.

Javi: I can be there in thirty minutes.

* * *

Javi is nice.And hot. And after two cups of coffee, I’m not tired at all.

“Do you want to take a walk?”

“Sure.”

He stands first, coming around to pull out my chair for me.

I like the way he smells. I like the way his fingers brush ever so gently against my back, then fall away again.

“So you were way up north,” I ask as we step outside. We talked about everything except his work while we drank coffee.

“Yep.”

And maybe we won’t talk about it now, either.

That’s fine. I’m not looking for his life story.

“How long are you in the city now?”

“Just the weekend. Then I’m going to Trenton for a while.”

“Cool.”

“Nice to have someone to hang out with a bit before I go, though.” Clear boundaries. He’s not looking for a relationship.

That’s fine.

I’m only looking for one night. “I’m kind of busy with work, and some personal stuff,” I say. “But I’m giving myself tonight to just be…free.”

“Free is good.”

“Free is very good.” I wink at him. “Do you want to go back to your place?”

“My place is a hotel room at the Marriott. Does that work?”

It’s perfect. “Sure. Let me just text a friend and tell them where I’m going.”

I hesitate for a second before I tap the message out. I know it’s probably across the line.

Grace: Another date tonight. Might be out all night. I’m at the Marriott.

Luke: Understood. Be safe.

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