“Go home and send that man a text message.”
I had already decided to do something along those lines. I hadn’t figured out what I’d say, but maybe Kimmy’s going to tell me. “What should it say?”
She steps back and looks me right in the eye. Holding up three fingers, she says, “Send three texts. In the first one, just say, ‘Hi, how are you?’ or something along those lines.”
I can do that.
“The second, briefly tell him about Shep.”
Oh, right. Alec would want to know about that. Tomorrow, Shep is going home with his veteran. I’m sad about it but happy for the most important part of this process—Shep and the soldier who lost both of his legs––will get to be together every day now.
“The third is the most important.”
Oh boy. “I’m ready.” That’s a bald-faced lie. I’m not ready for this next one.
“Tell him you’ve always wanted to visit Texas.”
I gasp. Seriously, I gasp. “No. I’m not inviting myself to Texas.”
“You’re not. You’re putting it out there. Let’s see what happens. If he says something like, ‘Yeah, you should visit someday. You’ll like it.’ You’ll know he’s just not that into you.”
I’m shaking my head the entire times she’s yakking.
“But, if he tells you he’ll buy you a ticket so you can visit him, well, then you’ll know.”
“How would I know from that? He’s nice. He—”
“No man alive will pay for a woman to fly halfway across the country to visit unless he wants to see her. Like Adrian said, the man’s busy.”
Ugh, she had to bring up Adrian. “Have you seen Adrian?”
“No.” It’s Kimmy’s turn to scoff. “And don’t think for a second that I don’t see what you’re doing, diverting from the topic at hand.” She smirks. “But I’ll answer this one. The way Adrian spoke to you that day, I hope he rots.”
“I could tell you really liked him. Maybe he’s not so bad.”
“He’s a jerk.”
“Maybe he just needs a good woman in his life to help him work through his jerk-like tendencies.”
That earns me a giggle. She’s got a great laugh.
“Go home, Mattie. Send those three texts.”
“I don’t think—”
“If you love me, you’ll do exactly what I just told you to do.”
“Fine.” I hate this. “I’ll send them.”
“I want to see the screenshots after you send them.”
Placing my hand over my heart, I feign offense. “I can’t believe you. You don’t trust me?”
Kimmy shakes her head. “Not one bit.”
“Well, I can’t do it tonight.”
“Why not?”
