Page 39 of Simply Irresistible
“Because he is sweep-you-off-your-feet amazing, that’s why.”
“That’s true, but he’d be appalled if you called him that.”
“Where is he anyway? You leave tomorrow, I figured you two would be hanging out.”
“We had lunch today, but he’s out with a friend tonight.”
“Wait. He’s out with a friend instead of being with you the night before you leave to go out of the country for a week?”
“Glad you’ve been paying attention.” I flopped down on my bed, messing up my neat pile of folded clothes. “He’s been a bit off the last couple weeks.”
“Off how?”
“I don’t know,” I said, watching my relationship with Tyler like a highlight reel in my mind. The good parts made me smile to myself. “He told me he loved me.”
“What?!” I winced at my best friend’s shriek. “And you didn’t call me immediately?” I could have thrown it in her face that she waited to tell me she’d gotten engaged, but I refrained.
“Sorry. It’s just been crazy over here with Brianna being out of town, recovering from Fashion Week, and getting ready for Paris.”
“Well, what about him telling you he loves you makes it seem like he’s off?”
I look around my small apartment. “Because he’s not here? Because he was so nonchalant about the fact that I’m going out of the country for a week?”
“I’m sorry, sweetie. Maybe he’s just going to miss you so he’s sad about it and distancing himself. Guys aren’t always in touch with their emotions the way we are.”
“Tell me something I don’t know.”
“I know, that’s not new news, I just wanted to remind you because we don’t always think rationally when we’re upset. He might just be being a guy, you know? No harm meant.”
“Yeah...I guess.”
“Don’t let it get you down. You’re going to Paris! And the week will be over before you know it, and you’ll be back home in his arms.”
I smiled, picturing us lying in his bed together this morning. I couldn’t wait to be back in that very same place in a week. “You’re right.”
“Okay, girl. I’ve got to go. We’re having dinner with Keith’s parents tonight to talk about the rehearsal dinner. We don’t even have a date set yet, but his mom wants to plan.”
I laughed. “She’s excited. Her only son is getting married, and she doesn’t have a daughter. Give her some credit.”
“I hate it when you’re right. Have a great time in Paris. Take lots of pictures.”
“I will. Love you, bye.”
“Bye.”
The call disconnected, and I stared at my silent phone on the bed. Closing my eyes, I brought back up the image of Tyler and me in bed this morning. What I wouldn’t give to be back in that bed with him. My gaze shifted to my key ring, hanging from the hook by the door. Every time my parents visited me in the city, my father reminded me how stupid it was to keep my key ring right by the door. I never moved it. My key ring held the key to my apartment, and if they were already in the apartment, what difference would it make where my key ring was? But...my key ring didn’t only hold my key anymore. It held Tyler’s key, too. He’d given it to me one day when he had an event after work and needed a clean shirt. I had time, and he didn’t, so I went and got it for him. He never asked for the key back, and I had forgotten all about it.
Almost.
Maybe I’d surprise him tonight...be waiting for him in bed when he got back from his night out with the guys. Would that be crazy of me? Or would he love it?
I didn’t give it another thought. I slipped on my flats, pulled a sweater on over my tank top, and grabbed my bag and keys. I gave one last look at my unfinished packing and vowed to get back home early enough in the morning to finish before the car came to pick me up at nine.
21
Melanie
The cab ride was quick. The ease in hailing the cab and the lack of traffic made me feel like I was doing the right thing. The universe was making it too easy for me to get to his place for it to have been a bad idea.
