She steals the phone from his hand and walks over to where her two sisters are lying on the couch, putting them all in view as well. “Say hi, guys.”
Both Gemma and Cindy wave their hello, then go back to what they were watching on the TV.
“Hi.” I wave to them even though I know they can’t see me because the phone is moving around too much.
Katie points it back to herself. “So, we are all going to brunch, then to the dress shop tomorrow. You should join us for brunch too.”
I nod and shrug my shoulders. “Okay.”
“Can I talk to her now?” David takes the phone back from Katie. “Sorry about that. She can be a little pushy. It’s okay if you don’t want to come, but if you do want to, I’d like to see you.”
The way he said that just reminds me of every conversation we had over the app. He always felt so genuine—real. Not like the guys I’ve met at bars or elsewhere since high school. Those guys only had one thing in mind, or they were so lost in their own lives that I could tell they had zero direction in life.
Not only is David extremely motivated in his career, but he’s really a good guy. The type of guy I was starting to think didn’t exist anymore.
“I’d like to see you too,” I say in all honesty.
No matter what is going on in my head, there is one thing I know for sure: the guy I fell for online is the exact guy I fell for in person, just solidifying even more that he’s the one for me. I just need him to know I’m the same person too.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Zoe
I woke up to a message from David, telling me where and when to meet them for brunch. Of course, I was already awake because I hadn’t slept for shit. All night, I wrestled with what I should do now that I’d taken this much deeper than I should have without having told him.
The only thing I know for sure is I really want to be with him, which only made my head and stomach hurt worse last night. I don’t know how I got myself in this mess, but more importantly, I don’t know how to get myself out.
Now that I’m ready to walk out the door, I’m even more of a mess and about to go play the role of a lifetime, pretending that everything is totally okay.
The place we’re going to is in Greenwich Village, so I hail a cab, not wanting to walk too much in my dressy shoes. I figured if I was going to be a mess on the inside, I might as well try to look my prettiest on the outside, so I decided to go with a flowery spring dress with strappy high heels that made me look two inches taller.
Once I’m there, I take one last inhale, then open the door and see their group already sitting at a table next to the entrance.
David stands and comes toward me as soon as he sees me, giving me a quick kiss hello with no shame or embarrassment whatsoever.
“You look gorgeous,” he whispers in my ear before reaching for my hand and guiding me to their table.
“Morning!” I try to sound as cheerful as possible.
Everyone responds with their hello while Katie stands to give me a hug. “So glad you could join us.”
“Thank you for inviting me.” I sit in the open seat while David and Katie take theirs.
“I like you so much better than his ex-fiancée,” she says with zero restraint.
“Katie.” Mary admonishes her.
“Yeah, Katie,” David chimes in.
“I’m sorry. Did you not know he was engaged before?” Katie points at David, as if he weren’t the onlyheat the table.
“Yes. Thankfully, I told her, or you would’ve opened up a can of worms at this table.” David shakes his head as he picks up the menu.
“Then it’s fine. You already knew.” She waves her hands around like it’s no big deal and goes back to looking at the menu.
“Yes, I knew. And for the record, I’m glad you like me better.”
Our eyes meet, and she gives me a big smile.
