Page 19 of Undeniable

And I loved every minute of it.

Connor

PS: What kinds of plans? Anything exciting? Hot date?

His message made me laugh,but when I got to the postscript, I paused.Hot date?Ha! I hadn’t gone on another date since Tad. And even though Alyssa kept encouraging me to try again—to try online dating—I just couldn’t. Didn’t want to.

Maybe I was destined to be a cat lady for life. And maybe that was okay.

Yet Connorhadasked.

Why had he asked? Was he just making polite conversation or… My alarm chimed, and a glance at the time told me I was going to be late. Even so, I took a minute to type out a response. My mother would never be on time; she alwayshadto make an entrance.

Connor,

Just wait until you read the next one on our list. Muahaha.

I’m glad you loved “every fucking minute.” Such a far cry from the man who said, and I quote, “Reading novels is a waste of time.” What was that about anyway?

Exciting? Ha! Haven’t you realized by now that I’m very much the book nerd cat lady you accused me of being?

If you must know, I’m having brunch with my mother since she’s in town.

Olivia

PS: What are you up to this weekend? And why are you awake after staying up all night?

I dashedout the door and sped across town. I spent the entire drive thinking about Connor. Tempted to check my phone. What was he doing right now? Had he responded?

The valet took my keys, and then the hostess escorted me to a table. Even though I was ten minutes late, Mom was still nowhere in sight. For once, I was happy she was late. And I smiled to myself and checked my email.

Olivia,

Oh boy. I’m scared now.

I’d like to remind you that you’re attributing that quote to the wrong person. If you remember correctly, it was Coleman who said reading was a waste of time, and I (Connor) wholeheartedly disagree.

If you want to know the truth, I think I forgot how much I loved reading. My mom and I always loved reading together. She would’ve loved you, by the way.

Book nerd cat lady, you? No way. I certainly wouldn’t see that as a bad thing. Again, you’re confusing me with another man. I’m sure that happens to you a lot. What with all the men who are probably lining up to date you.

I don’t get the feeling you’re particularly looking forward to brunch. Why’s that?

Connor

PS: Plans? What plans? I’m trying to recover from this epic book hangover. Thanks a lot.

And I’m used to little sleep.

I frownedat the part about his mom, sadness filling me as I reread his words. He spoke of her in the past tense, leading me to believe that she’d died. I was sad for Connor. And sad that my relationship with my own mother was as strained as it was.

So instead, I focused on the rest of Connor’s email. “All the men lining up to date me?” What a joke.

Connor’s postscript did, in fact, make me laugh. I was so absorbed by his email that I startled when the waiter appeared with a glass of water. I thanked him then returned my attention to my phone.

C,

You should be scared.

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