Page 8 of Numbers Boy
But until either of those options happens, all I can do is be there for my friends and hope for the best.
THE NEXT MORNING, I wake up early, even though I don’t have anything major on my agenda for work. Still, I take the time to do a full face of makeup and end up changing my outfit three times before I settle on comfy, wide-legged jeans and a cozy cropped sweater that always makes me feel cute. The fact that the color of it happens to remind me of Noah’s beanie from the other evening doesn’t have anything to do with my selection.
Okay, so it doesn’t haveeverythingto do with my selection.
I know that there’s no reason for me to get worked up over the guy like this, but even in that short time that we talked at Spill the Beans, I felt more like myself than I have in ages. He made me feel seen and appreciated for who I am. If I get that sense of validation from a quick meeting, what could he make me feel like if he were allowed to take his time?
No, Steve, stop it. The poor guy is just coming over to meet with Stacy and get things figured out for his job, which you are paying him for. Nothing else can come of this.
Speaking of Stacy, she pushes her nose into my bathroom and nudges my leg with her head.
“Hey, girly, ready for some breakfast?” I ask, reaching down and ruffling the fur between her ears. “Sorry if I took too long. I’m a little caught up in the guy who’s coming over to meet you today.”
We start to head toward the kitchen, Stacy staying right next to me the whole way, like the good girl she is. I quickly get her food put out and then make some breakfast of my own. After we eat, I take her out for a morning walk before we hunker down in my office. She curls up at my feet, and I try to get into my usual rhythm, but an hour in, I can tell this is going to be a long day. I take more frequent breaks, and we go for an extra-long walk over lunch, even though it’s freezing outside. I just need to do something to help me deal with all of this excited anticipation.
As I’m getting ready to unwrap all of my layers post-walk, I feel my phone buzz in my coat pocket. I peel my glove off with my teeth so I can use my fingers more easily to get the other one and then dig out the device.
Stu-boo: If there’s an apple of your eye and an apple of your cheek, why isn’t there an apple of your lips or chin or something?
I snort a laugh and stretch my frozen fingers to reply as I step out of my boots. “Your Uncle Stu is a weirdo,” I mutter fondly to Stacy while I text back.
Me: I mean, there’s your Adam’s apple
Me: But other than that, no idea
Me: What brought on this deep question?
Stu-boo: Was eating an apple at lunch
Me: Makes sense
Me: How’s the rest of your day going?
Stu-boo: Great! I’ve had a few new one-on-one clients who seem really committed
Stu-boo: One of them seemed really nervous at the beginning of her session, but she was willing to try and by the end she was surprising both of us with what she could do. I’m excited to see where she ends up
Me: That’s awesome!
Stu-boo: How about you? You’ve got the cute dog walker coming by tonight, right?
While I didn’t want to tell Henry about how cute Noah is, I immediately told Stu because I tell Stu everything. He was the first one to know when I was suspicious of Adam, and he’ll be the first to know when anything else starts to happen in my currently on-hold love life. Just like I’m the first to know when Stu has burning questions about body parts named after fruit or prostate stimulation or whatever else crosses his mind. After being friends since first grade, there’s not much that we don’t share with each other.
Me: Yep! Less than four hours before I see his handsome face again and try to make sure Stacy is the only one drooling on him
Stu-boo: I mean, that hawk tuah girl isn’t wrong *water droplets emoji*
Me: I’m not getting my saliva anywhere near him, Stu.
Me: I’m just going to daydream about it like a normal person
I click my phone screen off and groan as the clock lights up, and I realize how much longer I have to try and busy myself with work. Five o’clock can’t come soon enough.
CHAPTER SIX
Noah
MONDAY MORNING, Ispend an extra half an hour getting ready for my day. I take a thorough shower, moisturize with my good moisturizer, and actually try to do something with my hair instead of just letting it do whatever it wants as it dries.
