Page 66 of Take 2
Five Years Ago
Myhandshitaheadboard when I stretch. It isn’t upholstered. So, it isn’t mine.
Oh. Fuck.
I squeeze my eyes shut tighter, but falling asleep again would not help me wake up in the right place. Falling asleep was the part I wasnot supposed to do.Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit.Okay. This is fine. Even breaths and light snoring are still coming from next to me. I’m about to bethat girl.
My movements are slow and careful. No jostling the bed. No noise. I slip out from under the comforter and pad into the bathroom, swiping my dress and underwear off the floor on my way. The door clicks shut, and I freeze to listen for any sounds on the other side.
Brilliant, Mira. Seriously.
I slip on the floral dress and stuff my panties in the pocket. Those are not wearable right now. I swipe a tissue under my eyes and twist a scrunchie to hold up my swishy little ponytail, and I am ready for the walk of shame.
Are my sunglasses in my purse? That would really complete the look. If my shoes and purse aren’t by the door, I am fucked. I do not possess the stealth to search this place without waking Nick up. Not that I’ve ever tried, but we also don’t hang out much in the mornings. He probably won’t be offended by my escape. Maybe he’ll even be relieved to have gotten the fun part of last night without the mildly awkward morning.
Or not. He’s propped up on an elbow, phone in hand, when I come out. “Good morning,” he says without looking up.
“Good morning.” I try to keep theplease kill metone out of my voice, but I don’t know if it’s successful.
He looks up, and his lips purse. “Are you trying to sneak out on me?”
Obviously.“I told you I couldn’t spend the night.”
“It’s not like you’re goingtothe Oscars.”
A thingo fuck yourselfsmile stretches my lips. “Well, neither are you.” I find my sandals by the foot of the bed.
“I didn’t mean it as an insult.”
“Well, Lisa’s party starts at three.” And getting myself and James ready on time will be an all-day event. “Gotta get ready.”
“I’m still not a fan of James getting to be the one who goes with you.”
“James is always my plus one. Especially for the Oscars.” The only people who could trump him still call me Bella.
“All right. Have fun then.”
“Will do.” I blow him a kiss and turn to leave. That’s shitty of me, but it’sOscars day.I cannot kiss him on Oscars day. I didn’t even want to see him today. How did I let this happen?
I loop my arm through the straps of my purse on my way out and get into my hybrid. My forehead thunks onto the steering wheel.So stupid.
When I enter the apartment, the smell of coffee greets me. Then James does. “We’re bringing sexy back to Oscars day, apparently.”
“Nope.” I throw my purse on the couch and climb onto a stool at the counter. “It was the day before.”
“Like pre-gaming?” James grabs a K-Cup and the mug he gifted me for Christmas.
“Not that one!”
“Too late!” The mug with illustrated dicks of varying sizes and shapes surrounding the nicknameMir-ly Tiredis put in position, and coffee pours into it. “Consider this my way of putting sex vibes into the universe for you.” As if the dick mug he gifted me makes me think sexy thoughts.
“There is zero possibility of me having sex tonight. I couldn’t even kiss Nick goodbye because today is the Oscars.” No need to remind James it is the anniversary of everything with Ryan.
“I mean, on the topic of Nick, who cares?”
“He’s fine.”
James adds my sugar and creamer for me. “Yeah, but we’re almost done with him, right?”
