Page 14 of Blindsided

Me: Does that sculpture look like a cock, or am I just immature?

Tilly: No, it absolutely is a penis. No doubt. Desmond swears it isn’t. He said some famous artist made it specifically for him.

Me: That’s fucking priceless. I can’t wait to tease him about it.

Tilly: Please do. He hates it when his teammates ask him about his metal dick.

Me: How are you? How was the flight?

Tilly: I’m good. The drive to Desmond’s was almost longer than the flight.

Me: Welcome back to New York. Text me when you land in London tomorrow.

Tilly: Sure. Night, Matty.

Me: Night.

I set my phone back on my nightstand with a smile on my face and pick up my e-reader again. I’ll have to ask Tilly for another recommendation when I’m finished with this one.

CHAPTER7

Tilly

“The car should be outside. We’re going to the hotel first, then we’ve got lunch with Sasha and Bridget.” Veronica hasn’t stopped talking since we got off the plane at Heathrow. Every word that comes out of her mouth only exhausts me further. The next few days are going to be a challenge, to say the least.

“Any chance I’ll get a nap at any point today?” My voice is as desperate as I feel.

“Unlikely. Sorry, kiddo.”

The cold wind slaps me in the face as we walk outside. Winter is holding on with all its might.

Veronica flags down the Uber and handles the bag handoff. I hurry into the back seat to get out of the cold. A shiver races down my spine after I close the door. I’m wearing my warmest parka, and it doesn’t seem to make a difference.

My phone buzzes in my purse, and a smile breaks over my face at the text.

Matty: I fucking hate you. How can she like this guy? He’s the biggest asshole.

I quickly do the math in my head and realize it’s three in the morning his time.

Me: Why are you still awake right now? But also, yes. He’s an asshole.

I can’t believe Matthew actually started reading the book I told him about. Not only did he start, but he seems to be obsessed. Something I can relate to.

Matty: Hence why I hate you. I can’t put this stupid book down. I need to know if he redeems himself. I highly doubt it’s going to be good enough.

Me: Oh, trust me, it’s good enough.

Matty: Hmm. I’ll believe it when I read it.

“What are you grinning at?” Veronica’s question has me dropping my phone into my lap. The last thing I need is for her to know about my crush on Matthew. She’d try to use it to her advantage under the guise of it being good for me. The number of times she’s tried to set me up on dates with major public figures is too many to count. And Matthew is a major public figure.

“Oh, just a friend of mine is reading a book I suggested.”

“Hmmm. I don’t know how you read those romance novels. They’re a little… trashy.”

I roll my eyes. I could tell her all about how empowering they can be, but she wouldn’t hear a single word. “I don’t diss you for reading your self-help books, so please don’t mock my reading choices.”

“Aren’t we a little crabby? Maybe Ishouldschedule you a nap today.”

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