Page 14 of The Situation
I sit on the edge of the bed and turn my camera around to look at my best friend. Her brows are pulled together, but she’s grinning because she knows me better than anyone. In all the years we’ve known each other, I've never asked her about candles. I’ve never given two thoughts about them. The fact that I’m asking—that I want to be able to talk about the things Kelly mentioned she likes—isn’t lost on Carys.
Or me. But there’s no time to dig too deeply into that.
“What’s happening, Tate?” she asks.
“I don’t know. I met this woman on the plane.”
Carys grins.
“She’s the whole package. She’s beautiful. Sexy. Funny. She has this …”
It’s more than her sinful body and sweet smile. It’s not just her laugh that I can still hear ringing in my ears. I wanted to pull her onto my lap when she touched me.
It’s the crazy mix of confidence in her language and vulnerability in her eyes that has me unable to stop thinking about her. And I don’t know how to explain that without freaking Carys out. If I said that to her, she’d probably call an ambulance.
“Vanilla is popular,” she says softly. “If you want something more manly, you could say you like anything with amber.”
“Do I like anything with amber?”
She laughs. “Yes. Your colognes have it.”
“Got it. I like amber and vanilla.” I stretch my neck back and forth. “I just need some talking points, you know? I want to talk about things she likes, and she mentioned candles. Oh—and romance books. Got any of those for me?”
“Sure do. My current favorite isLove Hurtsby Mandi Beck. Gannon and I read it to each other some nights.”
“Love Hurtsby Mandi Deck?”
“Beck. Mandi Beck.”
“Love Hurtsby Mandi Beck.” I close my eyes and repeat it, hoping it sticks in my brain. “Okay, I think that’s all I need … for now, anyway.”
Carys smiles. “I can’t wait until this date is over so you can call and fill me in. You’ve piqued my curiosity.”
I stand and glance at the time on my phone. “Thanks for your help, but I need to get dressed. Talk to you tomorrow, okay?”
“Okay. Good luck, Tate.”
“I don’t need luck.” I pull the phone away so she sees my abs. “Did you forget who you’re talking to again?”
She snorts, shaking her head. “Good night.”
“Bye.”
I end the call and toss my phone on the bed. My eyes linger on the mattress long after the phone lands.
Excitement stirs in the pit of my stomach. But there’s a curious twist in my gut, too.Because when have I ever been turned down?
I snatch the phone once again and find Astrid’s name at the top.
Me: Heyyyyyy.
Astrid: Did the rose arrive?
Me: Yes, and it’s perfect. Thank you.
Astrid: Great. Now lose my number.
“Rude,” I say, tapping out a quick response.
