Page 32 of Invisible String
Wow, now he has jokes.
Lana throws her head back, cackling so hard she snorts.
“Umm, okay. I’ll see you later,” I say.
“Max, come over for dinner when you’re done. I’m making my mama’s favorite chimichangas recipe,” Lana yells as Max walks back to his place.
He turns and gives her a nod.
“What are you talking about? Your mom doesn’t make chimichangas.”
“I know, but I was trying to thank him for how he handled Peter and for being there for you. So I thought I’d make him something he would like. I don’t think he would like my tuna casserole.”
“You’re a horrible cook.”
“Hey, you meanie. I’m an okay cook.” She loops her hand in mine, pulling me up the stairs.
“Close to burning down the house is not okay.”
She huffs. “At least I know how to drive.” Okay, she got me there.
“So, do you plan on telling me what’s going on between you two?” She wiggles her brows with a smirk.
What is going on?
I lift a shoulder. “Nothing. I guess just messing around. He lives in Vegas.” I peel off my shirt and slip my shorts off.
“Messing around? That’s not your thing, girl. Especially with him.”
She knows me better than anyone. I’m not the kind of person who engages in one-night stands; they just don’t make sense to me. No hate on those. Lana doesn’t mind, although it’s not really her thing, but for me, I get attached easily, and it would make me fall hard. “So what if he lives in Vegas? There are long-distance relationships, and isn’t Vegas like seven hours away?” Lana marches to the fridge, taking out a bag of flour tortillas.
“He told me he’s never had a girlfriend and doesn’t want one.” You can’t make a person want you.
Lana spins on her heels to the pantry. “Maybe you can change his mind. After all, it’s you, Rainey, not some random girl. He’s hot as fuck, and what a damn coincidence that seven years later, you see him again. His absence crushed you when he never came back to school. That boy planted a seed in your soul, hun. Those roots have sprouted.”
Perhaps she’s right. He has planted a seed in my heart, but did I plant one in his? He did things to my body that he’s never done with another woman. That itself means something. Maybe my wise friend has a point. He could fall for me and want to take a chance on a relationship.
“I guess we’ll play it by ear, ya know? I’m going to shower. I’ll cook when I get out.” The last thing we need is a forest fire.
“Okay, sunshine.” She winks. “I’ll look for a recipe on Pinterest.”
As I let my bikini fall to the ground, I step into the comforting stream of the shower. The warm water flows overme, enveloping me in its gentle cascade. I groan at the thought that he was all over my body mere minutes ago. His touch was electrifying.
The tight green corduroy skirt hugs my hips like a second skin. The white tank top fits perfectly, showing off my curved breasts. Then, I throw my hair up into a messy bun. I’m not big on makeup, mainly because I’m not good at putting it on. I pucker my lips and apply red lipstick. Then, I make my way downstairs, the wooden steps creaking beneath each step of my saunter.
“Dang, Rainey.” Lana fans herself. “Looking smokin’, girl. Impressing anyone?”
“Nope,” I lie, scrolling through the tablet in the kitchen, looking at the recipe.
“Sure.”
“Are the guys coming back?”
“You mean Peter and Dan? Then no. I dropped him like a fly. The guy is still hooked on his ex, and while he is good in bed, I didn’t enjoy him moaning his ex’s name. Major turn off.” Lana flicks Cheeto dust off her nails.
My mouth gapes. “He moaned her name?” Unbelievable. I would have kneed him in the balls.
She goes through the junk drawer, probably searching for a nail file. “Yes, good thing I was already squirting my load when he said her name. He was like, ‘Oh, sorry, babe. I didn’t mean to say her name.’” She rolls her eyes. “Of course he did. Good thing I’m not attached to him. I just wanted to screw him. Got what I wanted, and he can go his merry way.”
