Doesn’t stop me from appreciating her curves, though. It’s almost as if the universe is rewarding me for taking theirbreakup off its to-do list. A spectacular view in exchange for services rendered.
Dusk—that magical hour of the day where everything is bathed in the summer sun’s last golden rays. We sit shoulder to shoulder on her front stoop enjoying our ice cream. Vanilla with crushed Oreos. Oreos she pulverized in a rage-spiral over Jason—which is my new favorite flavor.
I nod toward the wine bottle next to her, the one she’s been toting around like a security blanket. “You shouldn’t drink alone when you’re sad.”
“I’m not sad, I’m angry. And besides, that’s why you’re here.” She tips the bottle in my direction. “Are you trying to be my human wine stopper?”
“Maybe . . . Tight fit. Goes in deep. Shoved in at just the right moment when you think you just can’t take anymore . . .” I muse.
She snorts, covering her mouth with the back of her hand. Drunk giggles spill out of her to the point that she starts tipping sideways, and I have to wrap an arm around her middle to keep her from falling.
Good.The less heartbreak I need to remedy, the smoother this will go.
She’s hurting, and I should probably feel bad about that—but I can’t help but revel in the beauty of it all.
Frankly, I’m thriving.
The cool evening breeze rolls in, sending a wave of goose bumps up her arms. I shrug off my jacket and drape it over her shoulders. She tugs it closer to her body.
“He didn’t even have an excuse!” she argues, recalling the events of tonight and plunging her spoon back into the bowl. “I think I’m more annoyed with myself.”
“Why? You didn’t do anything wrong.”
“I should have seen it coming. Been more aware. You told me he wasn’t good enough. You saw it. Hell, the fucking tarot spreadeven knew he couldn’t be trusted. I really thought he was going to turn into something more. We were barely together a couple months. Isn’t that pathetic?”
“No. Jason is pathetic.”
She sighs. “I think my bar is too low.”
“Yeah,” I scoff. “You need to remember you’re Kelly fucking Everhart and stop settling for less.”
She gives me a funny look, tilting her head to the side.
“What?” I chuckle.
Her eyes narrow, and she returns to her ice cream. “Nothing.”
“The bar for men is in hell . . .” She groans, scraping at her bowl. “Did you know he bought me the wrong birthstone?”
There was a necklace sitting on the counter; that must be from him. I can’t take credit there, he fucked that one up all on his own. “Seriously? One Google search to know it’s emerald.”
“Yup.” She takes another drink of wine. “And doubled down when I corrected him, like, full conviction.” She does a little shiver. “Ugh, I just want to wash him off me.”
I set down my bowl, leaning back to fish my phone and stylus from my pocket, then open my drawing app.
“Maybe you need a break from dating . . .” I sketch out a penis, then turn the screen toward her. “Don’t swipe on them if they look like this.”
Her lips slowly curl into a smile as she savors the bite of ice cream in her mouth. She sets down her dish and holds out her hand, gesturing for the device. I pass it to her, and she turns her back to me so I’m unable to watch.
Raising an eyebrow, I pick up my bowl and take another bite, peering down the street. A car is parked along the side, facing us. It pulled up a little bit ago, but I don’t think anyone has exited the vehicle; unfortunately, it’s too dark to make out the driver.Are we being watched?
Kelly spins around and shows me her masterpiece. It’s a much more realistic penis than the one I drew, though she’s dramatically shortened it.
“Mm-hmm,” I say, acknowledging her artwork while swallowing. “This Jason?”
“Part of Jason,” she mumbles under her breath.
“My condolences . . . On the bright side, much bigger and better things await you.”
