Page 51 of Meant for Stone (Meant For)

“Yo,” I say, putting her on speaker as I start to really pack my bag.

“Yo,” Zoey says. “Yo?” she repeats. “That’s the only thing you have to say to me?”

“Um…” I look at the phone while I put my shoes in the luggage.

“Don’t um me, Stone,” she snaps. “Do you know what I’ve been doing for the past two days?” With the way she is speaking, I know she’s not expecting me to answer. “I’ll tell you what I’ve been doing. Dodging Dad’s phone calls because he wants to tell me how much my worth is as a woman and that I shouldn’t put myself in a situationship.” Her voice goes loud. “A word that took him five tries to actually get out because he didn’t remember it.” I can’t help but laugh. “Don’t fucking laugh. Every day, he sends me messages like ‘You deserve the world.’ And ‘Don’t let anyone tell you that you aren’t worth the time.’ And my all-time favorite, “You are perfect the way you are. Don’t let them tell you otherwise.’”

“Oh my God,” I say. “Well, I don’t know why you’re pissed at me. Mom told me about it, so frankly, you only have yourself to blame.” She growls. “I’m so sorry you showed Mom a word that she spoke in front of Dad,” I say sarcastically.

“You’re sorry? You’re sorry?” she snaps. “Why would you do that to me?”

“If it makes you feel better, it had nothing to do with you and everything to do with me.”

“Yeah, I heard,” she groans. “I also heard that you’re dating Ryleigh.” She then tsks. “You think that’s a good idea? Isn’t there a saying ‘don’t shit where you eat’? How are you going to date her, and then what happens if?—”

I don’t let her finish. “We’re two grown adults. If shit happens, we’ll deal with it.”

“Yeah, but how?”

“Don’t you have to think about being in a situationship? Worry about that.”

“I’m not in a situationship because I, unlike you, am not dating anyone… Unless you have a friend you would like to introduce me to.”

“No, sorry, I’m friendless,” I retort. “But I do have to pack. I’ll let you know if I find a friend for you.”

“Please do. And don’t tell Dad any more new words. For fuck’s sake, that’s all we need is the uncles on the beach asking us about our situationship.”

“Noted. Come and visit me when I come back.”

“I have a job!” She hangs up on me, but not before she continues talking “this clown come visit me.”

The following morning, the alarm wakes me, and I reach over and immediately snooze it, then pull up her name.

Me:Good morning, gorgeous.

Putting the phone back down as soon as I send the message, I close my eyes again. The alarm wakes me up again, and I have to get up this time. I dress in black dress pants with a white button-down shirt tucked in and a charcoal-gray sweater on top of it. I opt for black sneakers instead of black dress shoes. I toss my suitcase in the trunk before I head out, finally checking my phone.

Gorgeous: Good morning, SR. Did you sleep well? I’m already at the office.

She attached a picture of herself sitting at her desk with a coffee in her hand. I can spot the bracelet on her left wrist in front of her watch, and I smile.

Me: You look beautiful. I’m headed out. Text you when I land.

I send her a picture of me winking at her. I don’t think she’s going to answer, but she surprises me.

Gorgeous: Looking good, SR. The things I would do to you.

I laugh and type back right away.

Me: Save it for the FaceTime chat tonight. I don’t want to show up at work with my cock trying to come out of my pants.

Gorgeous: Fine, I’ll save it for tonight. But just so you know, I’m bringing out the toys.

Me: That’s not helping, Ryleigh.

Gorgeous: Oh, he uses my name. Am I in trouble? I am a bad girl.

I close my eyes and see her naked in my lap, riding me the last time we were together.

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