“Teriyaki beef for you, Alex, is deliciousaaandnutritious,” Whisper tells me, placing the plate in front of me.
“Thanks, you’re awesome.” I pick up my chopsticks as another message comes in.
Logan:Nope, no balls enter this mouth, thank you very much. lol Unless they’re covered in chocolate or something lol. Okay, this is officially a weird conversation. Anyway, I hope you have a nice dinner with your friend. I’ll try not to message too much and interrupt you. Have a ball-licking good night ;)
I burst out laughing, and I start eating. Suddenly, the seat next to me is occupied, and I look up to see Whisper sitting there rather than behind the griddle as he looks over my shoulder to my cell, seeing I’m in theLovepessimistapp, and he nods.
“Ah-huh. I internet dating guidance guru, you know this, yes?”
I nod, shoveling food into my mouth like there’s no tomorrow. “I know.”
Damn, this food is delicious!
“Then, if you ever need advice on internet dating, I your go-to guy. I give discount on account, we friends.”
Smiling, I roll my eyes and try to hold in my laugh. “Thanks, but I have a friend who’s doing it with me. We’re kinda helping each other through it.”
Whisper looks at me and tilts his head, assessing me, then a sly smile creeps onto his face. “Mmm… your juju change when you mention friend, Alex.”
I sit taller and furrow my brows, pausing my intake of food as my chopsticks halt at my lips. “Well, he’s a new friend. He is interesting and funny, kinda odd, but you know me, I attract the odd ones to my life.”
“Odd? No. Intriguing, captivating, fascinating… yes. The fun people, Alex.”
“Yes, you’re right there, Whisper. You and the twins are definitely all of those.”
Whisper raises an eyebrow and tilts his head like I’ve said something that interests him, but he says nothing more as he continues to read my conversation with Logan over my shoulder. “Logan, he sound likeX-men.”
I giggle. “Hopefully, he doesn’t have titanium claws or the chops on his face.”
Whisper laughs. “Hahaha… you so funny. I give you discount on dog grooming. Special this month for you?”
“Whisper, you know I don’t have a dog,” I reply, shoveling in the last of my meal.
“Oh, yes… taxes then?”
“Thanks for dinner and for making me laugh. It was great catching up with you again. I’ll see you soon, for sure.”
He reaches out, grabbing my hand. “Alex, remember, the ghost of our past only haunt us if we let them. You be cool, calm, collected when you feel the demon creep in. The juju will help, pretty girl. Remember, okay?”
Nodding, I lean in for a hug, and he cuddles me back tightly, rubbing my back in a circular motion. I’m not sure if that’s his way of hugging or just some other weird Whisper juju trick he has going on, but it makes me feel calmer instantly. I don’t know how he does it, but he always makes me feel better. Lighter. Freer.
“Thanks, Whisper.” I kiss his cheek and turn, making my way outside to my car.
The trip home doesn’t take long, and as soon as I step into my apartment, I know exactly how I want to unwind after a long day—a hot soak in the tub. After my dinner and chat with Whisper, a little extra relaxation sounds perfect.
Grabbing my cell and some scented candles, I head to the bathroom. It’s not a huge space, but it has everything I need—a classic clawfoot tub, a shower, and a vanity cabinet. I set up my cell with Spotify and AirPods, and soon, the soothing voice of James Arthur fills the room, wrapping me in a warm cocoon of sound.
Stripping down, I turn on the faucet and let the tub fill. The scent of lavender and jasmine drifts up as I pour the bath soap into the water, watching the foam build into soft, inviting peaks. The room flickers with candlelight dancing on the walls after I light them, and the pop anthems born from pain, rebuilt with hope, flood my senses.
This is just what I need.
The tub fills, and I think of Logan and wonder what he’s doing right now and whether he’s thinking of me. I bite my lip at the thought, place my cell on the window ledge right next to the bath, and sink into the piping-hot water. The silkiness hits my skin, and I relax instantly. The warmth caresses me, sweeping over me like a tidal wave of comfort as it rolls over my skin, and I sink further and further into the tub. Sighing, I close my eyes, resting my arms on the top of the bath’s edges, relishing in the joy I’m feeling right now after a long day.
My cell buzzes.
Lifting my head, I reach for it. Glancing at the name, I expect it to be from Logan, but it’s Matt. My body is instantly more alert, and I smile as he asks how my day went. I’m not sure why, but I feel like this is what I’ve needed tonight—to hear from Matt.
Is it weird that I feel like I’ve missed him?
