“That’s what I thought, too. But he didn’t come down the next morning like he had been. I had the key to the spare apartment to give back, so I used it as an excuse to go upstairs before work, hoping I could talk to him. He was already gone, but Amelia asked me to braid her hair, so I wound up hanging out with her for a bit, and she told me her uncle had woken Olivia up last night yelling. She said he’d had a bad dream.”
“Is that what really happened, or is that a little kid’s take on something else going on?”
I shrugged. “I think it’s what really happened.”
“Did he ever have nightmares when he stayed with you?”
I shook my head. “Never.”
“Hmm... Maybe it’s all the stress? I saw the shit with the government on the news again, and he’s got two little girls staying with him, and then all your shit on top of that.”
“Great.” I frowned. “So I’m the straw that broke the camel’s back? Is that what you’re saying?”
“No, not at all. I just meant the guy is busy. I think that just comes with the territory when you’re dating a mogul.”
“I guess.” I chewed on my fingernail. “But he always seemed to be able to make time for me before. I don’t know. Maybe I’m just overthinking things. It’s only been a few days.”
“He definitely doesn’t seem like the beat-around-the-bush type of guy. Don’t you think he’d tell you if there was a problem?”
“I hope so.” I sighed. “Anyway, enough about me. Tell me about your week.”
Miles’s face lit up. “I met someone.”
“You did? When? Why don’t I know about it yet?”
“Because it was only three days ago, and he only left my apartment a couple of hours ago.”
“He just left your apartment from last night?”
“No, from three days ago.” He grinned. “Unlike your busy mogul, mine has all the time in the world. He’s an actor. Of course, he’s not currently filming anything, so I guess that technically makes his professionunemployed, but actor has a nicer ring to it, doesn’t it?”
It wasn’t the first time Miles had fallen for someone without a job. I was pretty certain the last time when it ended, he’d told me to smack him if he ever dated someone who didn’t have a promising career and six figures in a 401k. But he seemed happy, so rather than remind him of that, we spent an hour deep-diving the guy’s social media together. Unlike most of the men Miles dated, Rodrigo had photos of his family instead of pictures of him and five shirtless buddies drinking tequila from a shotski.
“I really like this guy,” Miles said. “You might not believe this, but we didn’t have sex for the entire three days he stayed here. He said he wanted to get to know me first. I can’t remember the last time a guy actually wanted to talk to me instead of bend over.”
I smiled. “I’m happy for you.”
“I’m happy for you, too, cookie. Jagger is crazy about you. I saw it with my own eyes. He’s just preoccupied, and you’re worried because you’re crazy about him too.”
I forced another smile. “I’m sure you’re right.”
But my gut still told me there was more to it than just Jagger being busy.
***
Sunday came and went. I intentionally didn’t text Jagger, though it killed me not to, to see if he would contact me. I busied myself with errands—gym, dry cleaners, Trader Joe’s, the bookstore, and two trips to Starbucks. I checked my phone like a fiend, and the disappointment from not seeing Jagger’s name weighed heavier and heavier on my heart as the hours passed.
I ate boxed macaroni and cheese, watched a movie starring Jim Carrey that I assumed would be funnybecause, well,Jim Carrey. But I found myself crying atEternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, which turned out to be about a couple who split up and decide to undergo a medical procedure to have each other erased from their memories, only to realize they didn’t want to forget the bad parts because it meant losing the good, too.
By Monday, I’d decided I was being ridiculous, pulled up my big-girl panties, and dragged myself to work. I went to the early-morning management briefing that was open to all employees. Jack was also there. I hadn’t seen him in a while, and after the meeting let out, he jogged to catch up to me as I reached the elevator.
“Hey. Long time no see.”
I smiled. “I know. Did you give up coffee?”
The elevator doors slid open, and he put his hand out for me to enter first. “Nah. I’ve just been up to my eyeballs with all this DOJ stuff.”
My ears perked up. “Did you go to the meeting in DC on Friday?”
