Page 18 of The Situation
“Oh really? Tell me more.”
I clear my throat. “I was asked out on a date.”
“You what?Oh my God. How exciting! Where are you going?”
“Well … I turned him down.”
“Oh. Why?”
I wander around the room aimlessly, needing the movement to fight off the excess energy building inside me.
“He was much too young for me,” I say. “Much too hot.And he had trouble written all over him.”
She laughs. “That sounds like a damn good time, Aurora.”
Don’t I know it.
The longer I’ve been in this hotel room, the more I’ve started to regret my decision. Sure, I remember why I said no, and I stand by that decision. It was the right call.
But dammit if I keep thinking about what it would be like to see him again—to experience his intense gaze and feel his unmistakable attention and attraction leveled my way. It’s been so long since I felt so feminine—desired—and after that small taste, I’d love to experience more.
Ineedmore than that, but it would take off the edge. It could be so much fun, too, given the male in mind, and that sounds so appealing. But …
“So you said no,” she says, her voice carrying a tenderness I appreciate. “And now you’re kinda wishing you would’ve said yes. Is that right?”
I blow out a breath. “Yeah. Kind of.”
“What was this guy like? Tell me about him.”
“He’s physical perfection. His personality is a mix of sexy and playful, which makes my brain overheat. He sat by me on the plane, and we had a great conversation. He was just …” I put a hand to my chest and sigh. “I’m in over my head here, Tally. What am I doing?”
“You are not in over your head.” She giggles. “Listen, I know you just got divorced and want to ease your way into dating again, but he doesn’t sound like a serial killer or sheep kicker.”
“Sheep kicker?” I ask, laughing.
“I didn’t get much sleep last night. Work with me.”
I laugh again.
“My point is that if you really wanted to see him, what would it hurt? Do you know anything else about him? Is he from Columbus? What does he do for a living? Like, would your paths cross again after this weekend?”
I start pacing again. “I don’t think so. He’s here for work, but I’m unsure if he’s from Nashville or if he was there on a layover.”
“Okay, great. Just see this guy while you’re there and use it to ease yourself into the game instead of thinking of itasthe game. Reframe it in your mind. This could be what you were after all along. You just panicked.”
I frown.I didn’t panic. I just …
Yeah, I panicked.
Oof.
“Call him,” Tally says. “I’m sure he’s hoping you will.”
“I don’t have his phone number. I don’t even know his last name.” I grimace. “He doesn’t even know my real name because I told him mine was Kelly Kapowski.”
“Why did you do that?” She laughs. “Kelly Kapowski?”
“She was the pretty cheerleader on a show I watched growing up. But that’s not the point.”
