Oh!? Is everything okay?
Tanner :
Great actually
Tanner :
It’s a long story but my dad invited me to dinner tonight which is big and I think I need to go
Dinner?
Tanner :
I know we had plans and I promise to make it up to you but can I get a rain check on our roomie night
Of course! See you later!
Tanner :
You’re the best
Three dots appear and then disappear, and my heart sinks.
I set my phone down and let my head fall back on the sofa. Dolly walks out of my bedroom and the little bell on her collar catches my attention. She pauses to extend her paws forward in a big stretch and then continues to walk towards me.
“Tanner has a work thing, so I guess it’s just you and me tonight,” I say, tapping the cushion next to me, encouraging her to join me. “How does a girls’ night sound?”
She lets out a small howl and sits.
“What? You don’t like my girls’ night idea?”
She howls again, but this time it almost sounds more like a long whine, and I let out a giggle.
“That’s a new sound. Are you upset that he had to work?”
She meows, almost in response.
“I know. I’m bummed too, baby girl,” I say, my breath catching at my own admission.
Her head tips to the right like she’s studying me.
“Don’t look at me like that. That’s not what I meant.” I stand and start pacing. “Or is it what I meant? I don’t know, Dolls, I just feel like after he met Cody a couple of nights ago, something shifted, and I know that sounds a little crazy, and I know I shouldn’t be feeling like this, but if I’m honest, I was really looking forward to hanging out with him tonight.”
I look at my cat like she holds all the answers, but she just flops down onto her back and starts to rub against the carpet.
“Goodness, I’m talking to you like you’re an actual human and not a cat.” I chuckle, running my hands through my hair. “I need to pull myself together.”
She meows again.
“Now you say something,” I say, shaking my head and giggling.
I wish she did have all the answers, or at least could help me process the feelings I’m having. Because the truth is, I don’t know what to think about Tanner anymore. I’ve only been living here one and a half weeks, and I was sure by now there would have been multiple women to and from his bedroom. But instead, it’s been sticky notes, doodles, coffee creamer recipes, comic book collections, and him taking the time to get to know me and my brother. The only woman who’s been in this apartment has been me, which is not what I expected at all.
Then there is the problem of the butterflies I’ve been feeling. The butterflies that have no business making an appearance because I know guys like Tanner. Or at least I thought I did, but now I’m not so sure.
I told him at my parents’ that I thought he was incredible, and I wasn’t lying. He absolutely blew me away that night, and I know Poppy had a lot to do with how the night with my brother unfolded, but she didn’t give that information to him randomly. No, he took the time to seek her out, and all it did was turn me into the human version of the heart-eye emoji.
I really thought I had better control of my emotions, but alas I’m a weak bitch, and it appears that all it takes is one night of him being absolutely amazing for me to melt like a goddamn piece of chocolate.
