“Addy,” Dave calls. “Doll, what about lunch?”
“Ads,” Jason beckons. “Come on, babe.”
I just shake my head. How could things change so much in five minutes? “Maybe later. I’ve lost my appetite.”
* * *
“That was quick,” Alden greets.
Not intending to be rude, I head straight for my phone, hoping to calm this unsettling feeling. Because of my dyslexia, I don’t tend to carry my phone with me as others do. But I can’t sit idle and let my thoughts get the best of me. Digging through my backpack, I locate it and scroll until I find Trevor’s phone number and open the messenger app.
“Hey, Trev. I just bumped into the boys from twelve. I hope your mom is okay. Since Mondays are a busy day at the bakery, I was waiting to call you later,” I speak into the phone’s talk-to-text feature. Hitting send, I continue. “I wish I’d had a chance to say goodbye when you left. Any idea when you’ll be back?”
Placing the phone on the stainless-steel countertop, I walk to the restroom to splash some water on my face. I’m sure I’m making more of this situation than it is. Trevor just needed some time to get his affairs handled. I’m not sure why this is affecting me this way. This relationship is new, but this isn’t one-sided. I’m sure of it.
Exiting the restroom, it takes me a moment to recognize the odd buzzing sound. I see the phone bouncing on the metal countertop and dart over, realizing I missed Trevor’s call. I open the voicemail, my heart thumping in my chest.
“Hi, Addison. Thanks for your text. Mom’s going to be fine. I have some things I need to get straightened out here. Listen…” The phone is silent momentarily. The only sound, the pulse pounding in my ears. “I’m afraid this isn’t going to work between us. I’m sorry. Take care of yourself.” Extending my arm to look at the phone in disbelief, I feel a tear tumble down my cheek. What on earth could’ve happened? Is he meeting his ex while he’s back home?
Swiping away the next tear that falls, I dig through my bag.
“Addy? You okay?”
“Alden? Would you mind if I took some time off? I feel bad not giving you more notice, and I don’t want to leave you in a lurch. But I’m thinking of leaving for Paris a little earlier than planned and maybe taking some time away afterward.”
Alden gazes at me, concern etched on his face. I know this is a 180-degree turn from where I was when I left for lunch. I need to explain, but I’m not sure I know what to say.
“Babe. You know you can. What the fuck happened?”
“I don’t know.” I hate feeling another tear fall, but I can’t help it. “Trevor just dumped me over voicemail.”
“I’ll kill that fucker,” Alden grits out.
“It’s okay. We were only together a hot minute. It’s ridiculous that I’m this upset about it. I just really liked him. Like,reallyliked him,” I say, trying not to lose it.
Alden’s big arms pull me in for a hug, and any control I thought I had is now gone as tears pour down my face. I refuse to let a man dictate my happiness. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I’m blubbering. It feels like everything is starting to cave in on me. I don’t have any real plans for the future. No relationship. My family is ridiculous. I just need some space to get my head straight, Alden.” I sniffle.
“Honey. You’re allowed to be upset,” he reassures. “What’s that?”
“What?”
He bends down to pick up the business card I’ve managed to drop amid my pity party. “How do you know James Truman?”
“He’s the kind man I met at Bradley’s graduation party that I told you about. He just moved to Hilton Head and offered to let me come visit. The place sounds nice. He and his wife must’ve done well for themselves.”
“What do you mean?”
“She was a part-time professor, and he owned a landscaping business. They must have saved for years for him to retire in a beachfront home in Hilton Head.”
“Addy. This is James Truman. HeownsTruGreen lawn care.”
“What?”
“That guy’s a millionaire.”
I stare at Alden, blinking in utter amazement.How can this be possible?
“I can’t believe it. You’d never know it to meet him. He’s the most down-to-earth guy I’ve ever known. Well, besides you.” I giggle. It feels good to laugh. “We bonded over the fact neither of us attended college.”
