Page 24 of Fit for Love

“But why?”

“Who knows?If I start to speculate, I might need to go into your performance during the icky part of the story.”

“I know for a fact that’s not it.”

“But—and prepare to have your mind blown—womencanfake it.Also, and I repeat, eww.”

I blow out a frustrated breath.“Something must have happened.I need to get it sorted out.They have her info at the gym, so I’ll just?—”

“Hell, no.That’s a stalker move.If you want my advice: forget her and find someone who is worthy of a guy as awesome as you.”

I force myself to ignore the peculiar tightness in my chest.“Maybe you’re right.”I shouldn’t let a girl I only spent one night with have this kind of hold over me.“Anyway, how are things with you?”

“Oh, same old.Spoke to Dad the other day and Mom the day prior, so there’sthat.”

“Which was it: a guilt trip or ‘I’m disappointed in you?’”

“A little bit of both,” she says.“When did you speak to them last?”

“Their birthdays.”

“Lucky.Anything else up with you, besides the Kendall fiasco?”

“Nope, just like you said.Same old.”

“In that case, I’d better run,” she says.“Oh, and I must add: You’ve gotten wiser over the years.”

“How so?”

“You thought to call me.”

With that, she hangs up.

I wait a beat, battling the heavy feeling in my chest.Then I open my contacts, locate Kendall’s number, and delete it.

Jordan is right.It’s over.

I doubt I’ll ever see Kendall again.

PartTwo

Present Day

Chapter11

Kendall

“Yes, Tierre,”I say into my phone.“I told the dry-cleaning lady that her service was ‘merde.’”And then thanked my lucky stars she didn’t know French.

I suppress a sigh.Ever since Mr.Boss sniffed out that I want to be a designer myself, he’s dangled opportunities in front of me, but of course, said opportunities have come at a cost: I’m even more like an indentured servant these days.

“And you found a replacement?”he demands.

I don’t bother reminding him that today is Saturday, which means I’m supposed to only be available to him for emergencies.“I found replacements, plural.A new dry-cleaning place, friendlier landscapers, and an aesthetician who says she can wax anything you want and at any time of day.”Except Sunday mornings, but that’s okay because that’s the time Tierre usually sleeps in.

“Keep it up,” Mr.Boss says and hangs up.

Whew.I was afraid Tierre would get wind of the fact that I’m about to have brunch at a restaurant that even he can’t get into willy-nilly.

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