Page 59 of New Girl in the City
“I feel that,” I replied with a nod. “I hate that it happened with you and Dylan. I wish I’d been there more for you, too.”
“Hey, none of that. You just told me I couldn’t blame myself, so you don’t get to either, okay?”
I let out a shaky laugh. “Yeah, okay. Fair point.”
I heard her hum in approval. “Alright, then. Now that the predator asshole who took advantage of you is out in the open, I’m going to give you some space on that because I think you want that.”
“Uh...yeah.” I nodded, even though she couldn’t see me.
“I think it’s time to move right along to your cage fighter boyfriend.”
“Not my boyfriend,” I said again.
“Then what is he? Because he told your trash ex to fuck off, which I love by the way. And then what?”
I pursed my lips, choosing my words carefully, before I decided there was no other way to say it other than to just lay it out like it was. “We banged it out in his car.”
“His car?” she sounded equal parts scandalized and proud.
“Yes, his car. In the parking lot of the big fight night warehouse thing, too.”
“I have never been prouder of you.”
“Well, I had to follow in some pretty big footsteps. You got it on in a coat closet. You know how I hate to be outdone.”
She laughed. “Touché. But why are you so adamant about him not being your boyfriend? I mean, he sure as hell sounds like a boyfriend to me.”
“We just met.”
“Things went quick with Grant and me. You told me to go for it. How is this any different?”
She had me there. Damn.
“I just need a little more time,” I said, when I couldn’t think of anything else to say. “I didn’t think...I didn’t think I’d meet anyone that made me want this. I was on that dating app for like a day, then Liam just came out of nowhere.”
“A dating app?” she asked.
“Yeah, the Diamond Dating League app.”
“What the hell is that?” I bit my lip.
“It’s you know...a dating app that Claudia got me on in exchange for putting in a good word for her at my old firm in town. From what I hear she’s a shoo-in there, so you’re welcome for your new best friend. But if you both fall in love and try and move on without me, I’m going to riot,” I told her with a wag of my finger. I frowned looking down at my finger, one that she couldn’t see. “We should video call next time because I am giving you some serious ‘tude and you can’t even see it. I need you to know how serious I am about this.”
“We should do that because I miss your face, but don’t worry, I can feel the sass from over here.”
“Good, because it’s grade A sass,” I laughed, picking up my coffee cup and pushing away from the counter. It was going to be a good morning. I had my best friend on the line and a cup full of hot coffee. There was no way this day could go wrong. After my conversation with Aurora I spent the rest of my day cleaning up and getting ready for the week.
I had plans with Liam the next night and work was only ramping up, which meant I needed to get my chores sorted out and handled. I didn’t really expect a lot of downtime because I intended to spend every last minute I could with Liam. I was falling for him, and our night together---everything we had done in the parking lot, edged me close to that fine line. As a result, spending more time with Liam was high on my list. Which meant me cleaning, doing laundry and semi-meal prepping, even if that really was just me practically putting different slices of pizza in Tupperware.
The next day found me waiting for Liam at the curb with two coffees in hand. When we locked eyes I was glad I had made the decision to get up earlier and get us coffee. The smile on this man’s face was beautiful, and it was directed entirely at me.
He deserved a coffee for that. Easy.
“Hey.” I held the coffee out to him with a smile.
“Hey,” he returned, taking the cup of coffee from me. “You look beautiful. His eyes moved over me from head to toe and I grinned, smoothing a hand over my white pencil skirt and red blouse. I looked great and I knew it, but I loved hearing him tell me.
“Thank you. You look dashing as always,” I returned and he shrugged, rubbing a hand over his shoulder.
