Page 43 of OneTime Lovers
My cell buzzes again demanding my attention.
It’s been vibrating frantically for the last five minutes and only now safely inside my apartment do I take it out of my bag to look at the messages. Of course, they’re all from Scott, asking where I am.
I reply to his last message saying simply,I had to leave urgently. I don’t elaborate and I don’t need to.
He knows I’m running away.
Lily clears her throat loudly, then waving her hand in my direction says, “Is there an explanation for your dramatic entry or are you going to sit there texting, leaving me guessing.”
Looking up sheepishly, I wrinkle my nose. “Maybe I’ve done a bad, bad thing.”
Lily drops the pile of papers to the coffee table and leaning forward says, “Oh, this sounds good and certainly more interesting than a damn financial report. Do we need wine?”
“Definitely. But first let me get changed. Be back in a sec.” I jump up and start down the hallway to my bedroom to quickly change into my track pants and a sweatshirt. Yes, I need to be comfortable to tell Lily this story.
My phone buzzes again and I don’t know what I expected Scott’s response to be to my text, but it certainly isn’t the photo I receive of my white lace panties and missing button from my shirt. I read the message,I’ll just hang onto these, till I see you next time.
Smiling at his funny reply and the absurdity of the situation, I’m already regretting my speedy exit. I don’t even want to think about how awkward thenext timeI see him will be.
More comfortably dressed, I return to Lily in the living room where she’s sitting cross-legged on the sofa with two large glasses of red wine, ready and waiting on the coffee table in front of her. Again, I take the chair opposite her and pick up a glass of wine, taking a big gulp. That feels better.
Like pulling off a Band-Aid, I dive straight in, starting at the end where I took apartment viewing to a whole new level, then telling her snippets about the rest of my day with Scott including our Italian lunch together.
Obviously, from Lily’s unblinking round eyes, I’ve shocked her. Wow, maybe this afternoon’s antics are appalling, even by my usual standards.
Looking down into my glass of wine, I finally own up to running away after doing the deed.
“No way. You didn’t,” she says, then dropping her face into her hands starts laughing. Not just a little bit, a lot. Shoulder shaking laughter … and it’s hard not to join in.
Trying to explain proves to be difficult, through my tears of laughter. “Lily, I know what I did was bad. Probably even stupid.”
“You think?” She’s still snickering as she looks at me between her fingers. “But which part, the sex or the running.”
“Both. I couldn’t resist the offer of great sex. There’s just something about Scott … he makes my normal common sense fly out the window.” I drop my chin to my hands, then add, “I know I’m pathetic and weak.”
Lily laughs again. “Never feel bad about having great sex. Lucky you. I’m borderline becoming a second-time virgin. But … why did you run?”
With a shrug of my shoulders, I admit, “I think it was just my protective instincts kicking in. I’m not sure.”
“Maybe when you figure out why, you’ll be able to sort out your feelings toward Scott.”
My clever friend makes a good point and I raise my glass of wine to her.
Chapter 22
Scott
Two Days Later
Twodaysit’sbeensince I saw Jas. Since I lost control and fucked her. Since she ran away.
I really blew it, all my plans to take it slow, then in one crazy moment of passion, I ruined everything. Now I’m back to square one trying to find a way to fix things.
There has been plenty of email chat and text messages back and forth between us, but no face-to-face and no chance to find out why she left. I aim to get to the bottom of why she keeps running, hopefully today.
My Uber pulls up outside Jasmine’s office building, where I’m due to sign on the dotted line for the purchase of my new apartment. It’s been a rush, but as a cash buyer the usual delay in sorting out finance can be skipped. It’ll still be a couple of weeks before I can take possession, but at least I’ll know it’s mine before I fly home to Florida.
The large glass doors slide open as I approach, leading into a modern, stylish lobby with various seating areas. At the front desk, I give my name to the receptionist and tell her I’m here to visit NY State Real Estate. Fluffing up her hair, she babbles on about the weather, trying to keep me at the desk longer than necessary as she takes her time looking up the floor number for me. Finally, I get the information I need, along with the offer of a drink sometime, which I decline politely.
