It had been a little over three weeks since I’d seen or heard from Dominico. Most of me hoped I’d never see him again, but a tiny traitorous sliver of my heart still hoped he’d show up. I hadn’t even realized I’d been watching for him. I shrugged. “Habit, I guess.”
After work, Brandon asked me out again.
“I say we do something really crazy tomorrow since we’re off,” he said. “Let’s go out to eat so someone else has to cook for us. Then we can see a movie… whichever one you want to catch.”
Despite his easy smile, his eyes were hopeful. Adona was wrong, I wasn’t oblivious to guys. Even if I was, a blind person could see that Brandon was into me, and regardless of his casual tone, dinner and a movie sounded like a date. It would be easy to like Brandon. He was cute and funny, and I enjoyed being around him, but he didn’t set me on fire the way Dominico had. I didn’t want to lead him on, but I didn’t want to be alone for the rest of my life, either. Maybe some sort of spark could develop between us if we gave it enough time…
“I’m not sure,” I replied.
His smile faltered.
My stomach twisted. I didn’t want to hurt the guy, but I wasn’t ready to say yes. “Can I call you later and let you know?” I asked.
“Of course,” he said, parking in front of my house. “Take all the time you need, Annetta.”
Confused and emotionally drained, I lumbered into the house and dropped my purse on the floor.
“Rough day?” Papa asked from his recliner.
Before I could answer, the phone rang.
He answered. “Hello. Yes. Who can I tell her is calling?” he asked. Then holding the phone toward me, he said, “It’s for you. Says his name is Dom.”
My heart did some stupid little flip in my chest and I all but growled at it. Three weeks. Three freaking weeks had passed and now he calls? Now that I had almost talked myself into moving on? No. Not happening, buddy. “Tell him I’m not here,” I said.
“I’m sure he can hear you,” Papa replied, looking pointedly at the cordless phone dangling in the air between us. “Is he the one driving the Celica? Didn’t he just drop you off?”
I about choked and reached for the phone. I didn’t want to talk to Dominico, but I didn’t want Papa telling him about Brandon, either. “Hello,” I asked, heading for my room.
“Hey.”
The sound made my knees wobbly. I closed my bedroom door and leaned against it, wondering what was up with my stupid body. Didn’t it know what an inconsiderate asshole he was?
“Why are you calling?” I asked.
He let out a long, drawn-out sigh. “Because I’m a dumbass.”
If he thought I was going to argue, he had another think coming. “Is that why you’re calling now, or why you waited so long to call?” I asked.
“Hmm. The jury’s still out on that one.”
“Maybe you should call me when the jury makes up its mind. I’m guessing it’ll take about three more weeks. Goodbye, Dom.”
No matter what reactions my body had in response to hearing his voice, I refused to be led on by some player. I pulled the phone away and went to hit the end call button, but he yelled at me to wait.
I wanted to hang up and never think about him again. I also wanted him to have some legitimate excuse for not calling. How would I know if he did unless I heard him out?
“Annetta?” he asked.
Still undecided about whether or not to hang up on him, I put the phone back up to my ear and waited.
“I’m sorry I haven’t called,” he said with a deep sigh.
I didn’t respond.
“I get that you’re pissed. You should be. I just… I shouldn’t be callin’ at all.” He sounded worn and frustrated.
I knew the feeling all too well. “Then why are you?” I asked.
