Page 20 of Glass Jawed
“He’s bi then?”
“He said so. In a very annoyingly charming way.”
Kashvi exhales like she’s sorting through a mental checklist. “Okay. So. You’re going to have dinner with him?”
“Yeah?” I hesitate. “Is that stupid?”
She’s quiet for a moment. “Yes. But... fuck—I don’t understand him. What exactly did he say? Like word for word.”
I blink. “Umm... something about how the professor-student thing is a romantic taboo setup.”
She coughs and I know she’s trying to hide her amused laugh.
“And?”
I sigh. “And that I’m more like a woman he’s ever met... or something. I don’t remember.”
Lie. I remember it clearly.
’You look more like a woman than anyone I’ve ever met.’
“Damn!” She whistles. “Wait... I mean. You don’t have to date him. But you also don’t have to avoid him like a plague victim. Set boundaries. Stay guarded. But if he wants to talk? Let him. It might help you move on too.”
I pop another chip in my mouth, even though I’m not hungry. “Kash...”
“I know. I’m not saying trust him. Just... see where this goes. Maybe for closure. This is the man who’s words made you spiral back a decade. All your work to help with those issues, and he just... BAM!”
I nod, even though she can’t see me. “You’re right.”
“Of course I am.”
There’s a pause. A knowing one.
“And also,” she adds, “you need to schedule a therapy session.”
I sigh. Fucking hell.
“Rohi.”
“I know.”
“It’s been a month since you stopped. You were making progress. Don’t undo it because some hot bisexual man with nice shoulders decided to apologize.”
“I hate how well you know me.”
“I’ve had twenty years of practice, baby.”
I smile. “Thanks, Kash.”
“You got this. But seriously—therapy. Tomorrow. Or I’llfuck you up!”
“Fine,” I roll my eyes.
“Good. I gotta go, but... put down the chips and drink some water before your sodium levels kill you.”
“Love you too.”
She hangs up, and the silence left behind doesn’t feel quite so heavy.
