Page 86 of Forbidden Desire

I take a sip of prosecco as I think about what Sadie said.

“Let’s not talk about it, okay?” I ask softly. “I don’t want to ruin dinner.”

My appetite is already ruined though.

Chapter 40

Marco

Iturn up the volume on the TV and grab another taco from the to-go carton on the coffee table. It’s eight o’clock on a Saturday night, and I’m staying in with takeout from down the street and the latest action movie to be released on streaming. It’s already boring me, and I’m only twenty minutes in. I swear, they just keep coming out with the same movies over and over again with the same ridiculous stunts and plot lines. I roll my eyes as the lead character balances on two feet on the helicopter that’s in mid-air.

“Yeah right,” I mutter, taking a bite of my birria taco.

I settle back into the couch and look at my phone. I only have a text from Jacob:Back to being a hermit? I see how it is. I’ll be at the new club opening if you decide to come out of your apartment.

I don’t respond and toss my phone next to me on the couch. I was hoping I would hear from Erica. After the day we had at the zoo, it feels like we are moving in a good direction. One where I really want to see where it goes. I think about her and Josie, completely missing the villain’s backstory that’s playing out on the movie. With a sigh, I turn the TV off. I can’t focus on it. My mind is on other things. It’s not good, anyway.

I eat the rest of my food in silence, debating if I should go to bed afterward. It’s almost humorous how different my nights are now, compared to a few months ago. I’d most likely be at that club opening with Jacob, drinking copious amounts of alcohol, and searching for my next conquest for the night. All of it seems meaningless now. I know it’s because of Josie, but I think Erica plays a part too.

This morning had been perfect. Perfect weather. Perfect outing.

I reach over and pick up my phone. I scroll to Erica’s number and my thumb hovers over the call button as I debate whether I should call or not. I don’t know if I’ve ever called her. When she worked with me, we mostly talked in person or through text or email. I take a deep breath and press the green button. As soon as the phone starts ringing, my nerves kick in. I’m not really sure why I’m calling, or what I’ll say. I just want to hear her.

I hear the phone pick up after a few rings, but she doesn’t immediately greet me. Instead, I hear music in the background and other people talking.

“Will you be quiet?” she whispers, her phone probably covering the mouthpiece because it’s muffled with movement.

I furrow my brows as I try to listen, wondering where she is and who she’s with. As if I have any right to know.

“Uh hello?” I ask.

“Hello? Marco?” she asks.

“Yeah, did I catch you at a bad time?”

“No, no. I’m just at my friend’s place. Is everything okay?”

“Yeah. Er, everything’s fine.”

I realize she’s probably curious as to why I’m calling, like itmustbe some sort of work thing or something. I wish it was because then I wouldn’t feel like such a fool with nothing to say.

“I just wanted to call and tell you that I really enjoyed today. With you and Josie.”

“Oh, yeah. She had a great time.”

She, meaning Josie. She didn’t say “we.”

“Good. I’m glad.”

“Mhmm,” she says distractedly.

“Maybe we could do it again sometime. Or something like it…” The words feel so stupid as they come out of my mouth. I don’t like putting myself out there like this, unless I know it’s a safe bet. I’m not used to these nerves. I’m not used to not getting what I want.

“Yeah. That could work. Look, can we talk about it later?”

“Sure. Of course,” I reply, trying not to let the defeat in my voice come through.

“Have a good night.”

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