Page 124 of Rough Around the Hedges

I sighed, pulling off my glasses and grasping the arm between my teeth.

ME: I do.

ME: I’m trying to figure it out. Just give me some time.

ISADORA: Okay.

ISADORA: But you might not have that much time.

Her next message had a short video attached, and it was of Rose and a guy I’d never seen before dancing in the park. He was spinning her around, and she was laughing and smiling as he did so.

Ugliness twisted in my gut—a sick, dark jealousy that had my knuckles turning white as my grip on my phone tightened.

I wanted to be there. I wanted to be the one twirling her around like an idiot in the middle of the park.

Like a child, I resented that anyone else was touching her.

Could touch her so openly.

She’d never allow me to do that.

I hated that more than anything.

ISADORA: That guy had a crush on her in school and asked her out a couple of years ago. She said no because she was seeing someone, but everyone knows she’s single.

ME: What are you trying to say?

ISADORA: If I were you, I’d uncomplicate your business lickety split.

ME: Thanks for the tip.

ME: Can’t you get that guy away from her?

ISADORA: Ooh, you’re the jealous type. Does Rose know?

I didn’t care if she knew or not.

Yes, I was jealous. I was so fucking jealous I felt sick. I hated that anyone else was touching her, could hear her laugh like that, could see her smile. I hated that anyone else was able to draw those things out of her when it was such a rarity that I could.

I hated that I was here and couldn’t do anything about it.

I took my glasses from my teeth, set them on my desk, and switched from my chat with Isa to the one with Rose and sent her a message.

ME: What are you doing with that man? Do I have to drive back there and drag you away from him, princess? Because I’ll show everyone just how much you really hate me if you keep dancing with him.

I tapped my fingers against my desk and stared at my screen. No response came, and I glanced at my computer as if a reply from her would magically appear there. My phone flashed with a message, but it was Isadora, not Rose.

ISADORA: Hahaha she just blushed in front of everyone then stormed off. What did you say to her???

ME: She got away from that guy with a crush on her though?

ISADORA: Oh, yeah.

ISADORA: Oh, my.

ISADORA: Your giant face has been pinned to the dartboard.

ISADORA: She just threw a dart right between your eyes.

---