Or the strange way Cora had affected him so much. Her biting comments about how his Dad didn’t think he could go through with the party. That had hurt Jonah going by his behavior later that night.
I exhaled. Why was I even thinking about him anymore? I had another evening with him, got the closure I’d thought I needed. So, why did it still feel like I’d left something wide open?
For the next few days,things were calm. I went to work early. Evie was cheerful about the music and dance session in her new preschool, which hadn’t been in her previous one. I took my work seriously, relishing the challenges I faced every day and ending the day feeling pleased with myself professionally.
Evenings were dinner with Evie, bath time negotiations, dishes, and bedtime stories I barely remembered reading.
Personally, I felt something was missing. Some spark, some excitement that had me looking forward to the next day with stars in my eyes.
Jonah still hadn’t texted me.
I more than felt aware of it. Under the chaos of my daily routine, I missed the anticipation of meeting him or sparring with him.
On Thursday night, I was folding laundry on the couch when my phone lit up.
I answered it without checking the caller’s name. “Hello?”
There was a beat of silence on the other end, like maybe the person had hung up.
“Hey,” came Jonah’s voice. “I know it’s late.”
I froze and turned, wide-eyed, looking at Evie, who was playing with her train set on the floor with Sasha. Nursery rhymes played from the Alexa in the background.
For a moment, I wanted to hang up, afraid Jonah could see into my living room and know way more about me than I wanted him to.
Then reality hit. It was just a phone call.
“H-hi,” I stammered. “Hi, Jonah.”
“Oh my God,” Sasha said, looking up when she realized who I was speaking to.
I pressed my finger to my lips.
That Jonah?Sasha mouthed. She knew exactly how disappointed I’d been about how that date had ended.
I nodded, covering the microphone with my hand.
My mind raced through the way I’d left things with him last time. Why was he calling me?
“I forgot to ask you this the other night. How’s your back been?” he asked.
I swallowed, my fingers reaching for the soft cotton of a little pink T-shirt I’d been folding.
“Much better,” I said. “Haven’t needed any …untherapeuticback massages since.”
“Interesting choice of words,” he said with a chuckle. “Has Jeff been offering his help again, Lexi?”
Perhaps my exchanges with Jonah were just about the thrill of excitement. It had shaken up my normal, making me believe that life was a series of highs and lows, all revolving around Jonah.
“Can you please put this doll on the train?” Evie’s childish voice rang through our living room just as I covered my microphone, hoping he hadn’t heard anything.
“Where are you, Lexi?” Jonah asked.
“I’m at home,” I answered, trying to walk over to the kitchen, where it was less noisy.
Evie chose this moment to tell Alexa to increase the volume.Mickey Mouse Clubhousemusic rang through the house while Jonah asked me something.
“Can you please repeat that?” I asked, backing into the farthest corner of the kitchen to escape the music.
