Page 16 of One Night Only
Tess keeps on laughing because she’s an asshole.
Another message appears.
DO NOT ENGAGE: Sorry. I lied. That wasn’t sent in error. You were the intended recipient.
“What the…?” I try to make sense of his messages.
“Maybe he’s drunk,” Tess suggests with a shrug.
The laptop chimes with yet another notification and we both look closer to see what it says.
DO NOT ENGAGE: I hope you’re proud of the fact that you’ve rendered me incapable of stringing together a sentence. I promise I’m not normally a giant, bumbling fool.
“Aw,” Tess coos. “That’s kind of adorable.”
My sister has always been a romantic. And not so long ago, so was I. We were raised in a house full of love. Our parents grew up across the street from one another, and they fell in love when they were teenagers. Even now, almost fifty years later, they’re still obsessed with each other. But when my ex, Luke, cheated on me, when he hurt me in the worst possible way, during the worst possible time in my life, he didn’t just break my heart, he broke me. After Luke, love is just another four-letter word to me. Like wine. Speaking of… I take a big fortifying gulp from my glass.
“It’s not adorable, Tessa,” I chide. “He just wants into my control-top panties. Again.”
The laptop dings.
DO NOT ENGAGE: What’s your favorite food? I’m a Texas boy, so of course I’m gonna say you can’t go wrong with some good ol’ fashion barbeque. But I also like Italian.
Tess groans. “Oh, I’d kill for some barbecue right now.”
I roll my eyes at my sister right as another message pops up.
DO NOT ENGAGE: If you like Italian, we could go to Cucina Vappiano. It’s this cute little mom and pop joint in Bay Ridge. I think the lady that owns it has a crush on me. She’s always putting extra cannoli in my order.
“Wait…” I re-read his message. “Did he just ask me out?”
Of course, at this, Tess lets out a squeal, falling sideways ontothe couch and kicking her feet. “Ohhh, Emmy’s got a boyfriend!” she teases.
“Oh, my God, be more obnoxious.” I shake my head, taking possession of my laptop again.
“What’s going on?” Bron suddenly appears in the doorway, wearing her terrifying LED mask and looking every bit the murderous serial killer. “I heard screaming.”
I wave off Bron’s concern while Tess continues acting like a thirteen-year-old at a slumber party. “Your wife is being a child.”
“Okay, time for bed, ma’am,” Bron says, holding her hand out and waiting for Tess to take it.
“But we’re just getting to the good part,” Tess whines, taking Bron’s hands and huffing as she stands. She leans into her wife and, with a stage whisper says, “Emmy has a boyfriend.”
Bron offers me a contrite smile, and I wink at her before flipping my sister the bird.
“Say goodnight, Tessa,” Bron murmurs.
“Goodnight, Tessa,” Tess sasses like the brat she is.
I shake my head again with a quiet laugh, watching them walk hand-in-hand out of the room and down the hall toward their bedroom. It still amazes me how they’re married. Tess is the fun, life of the party, whereas Bron is this quiet, serious corporate attorney. They couldn’t be more different. But they’re actually perfect together. I think it’s aTessathing; you can’t not love her.
My laptop chimes again, and I look down at another message from Dallas.
“God, can this guy not take a—” my muttered words are cut short when I see what he’s sent.
DO NOT ENGAGE: I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you since that night. Your smile, and the dimple in the apple of your cheek when you laugh. The way you treated me like I was an actual person and not just some piece of ass. You’re the first woman I’ve ever held as I’ve drifted off to sleep. And I really want to hold you again.
Holy shit. I swear, I feel my stomach bottom out. I have to read the message a few more times to make sure I’m not misinterpreting it. But nope. I’m not. It’s right there, glaring up at me, word for word.
