“It’s fine, Ryan. I was only out there for a minute.”
“So why the toe tapping?”
“I’m worried your dad would find out.” She shot him an impish grin.
“Too late.”
The color drained from her face. “Oh, fuck me, I was kidding. No wonder you look like shit.”
“Thanks. That’s helpful. Anyway, he didn’t yell at me.”
“Your dad didn’t yell at you when you were late? What, did aliens switch him out with someone more reasonable?”
The door shut behind them. “I’m just grateful he didn’t. If the aliens want the original version, they’re welcome to it.”
She hit him in the shoulder, a gentle tap to remind him to watch his mouth around here.
“Will you watch the door for a minute while I grab a cup of coffee?” he asked.
She readily agreed, and he hurried back. He had no time to worry about his dad’s behavior or to think of Elissa. Well, except for when the phones stopped ringing. Or at lunch. Or on his third coffee break in the afternoon. The day passed slowly, but suddenly, the clock read four thirty, and he couldn’t wait to be home and talk to her.
He texted her as soon as he walked in the door.
R: You home yet?
He grabbed some leftovers and a beer out of the fridge and checked his phone. Nothing. Well, it wasn’t five yet, she may still be working. Or she could be driving. Talking and driving was risky. He could be patient.
He turned on the TV and found a basketball game.
Okay, who was he kidding? He was not a patient man. But he didn’t have a choice. A half dozen texts right now would simply annoy the crap out of her. While Elissa was just as beautiful when annoyed as any other time, he’d prefer not to do that after last night. Not yet, at least.
He ate and drank his beer and yelled at the TV a couple times.
Still no response.
His stomach dropped. Had she changed her mind? It was almost six. Surely she was home by now.
He decided another text was warranted.
R: How bout now?
He stared at the damn phone. No three dots, no response.
Had his father been right? Was she a floozy who had been looking to use him for money and connections and his rockin’ bod? After last night, she knew he didn’t have the money to run his podcast yet, let alone treat his girl to the luxuries he was brought up with. Maybe she fucked him, decided it was a momentary lapse in judgment, and was waiting to let him down easy. He wouldn’t blame her, but he needed something from her, not this silence.
Teo walked in. Apparently, his roommate sucked, and he’d been spending more and more time here lately, even when Iz wasn’t here. Ryan didn’t mind, he liked Teo. When the lease ran out on this apartment, they could look at getting a bigger place.
“What’s up, man? You look like someone wrecked your bike and pissed in your helmet.” Teo tossed the keys on the table and went to the fridge for a beer.
“That’s a lovely image, dude. Waiting to hear from Elissa. Trying not to come off too needy or demanding, but damn, I’ve been left on read for over an hour.” Ryan hadn’t been this nervous about an unreturned text since high school.
Teo clicked his tongue. “Ooh, that’s rough. I feel for ya, really. A whole hour. The audacity of the woman.”
“Yeah, fucker. Laugh it up.”
“Seriously, man, a little chill will go a long way. You both were up late, you saw her this morning, and didn’t you say she’s an accountant?” At Ryan’s nod, Teo continued. “It’s her busy season. Give her some time to breathe. She’ll text when she’s ready.”
“But what if she doesn’t?” That was the real heart of the matter. What if she didn’t want him after all? God, the idea had his toes numb and his brain screaming obscenities at the vagaries of fate.
