But I couldn’t stop replaying our exchange, including how long it’d taken me to cover up with that towel. That wasnothow my fantasies ever went. The part where he stared into my eyes, though? Maybe that was.
His gaze had been as deep and as complex as my favorite piano notes that always hit the right spot. I could write a solo based on his eyes alone and how they made me feel as he looked into mine.
Of course, from his point of view, I’d probably gawked at him like he’d been the one in his birthday suit. All six-two of that man standingin my room, in all black like a groom who belonged with me in the honeymoon suite.
“And I really gotta stop talking to myself ...she says to herself.” I laughed. At this point, why not? Why not just box this whole thing up as one funnyha hathing, then never think about it again.Perfect. Time to move on.
Now that I was dressed and my hair mostly dry, I picked up my phone to text my best friend and give her an update.
Me:I’m still alive. But kinda wanna be dead?
Hollis:Umm, whyyyy? P.S. - Don’t say the word dead in the same sentence with yourself. The world needs you. I mean, I for sure do. You already moved to the other side of the country. Don’t leave the world too.
I plopped down on my bed and sighed.
Hollis:By the way, you tell your mom yet you’re bunking with Trevor and the reason for it?
Me:Nope. I’m not ready to talk to her. You know why.
Me:And as for the other thing, wellllll, you’ll never believe who is three doors down from me and just saw my ass. Wait, actually, he only saw my front. But saw me naked, so, you know ... that’s great.
Hollis:Guessing you’re not talking about Chase’s dad. So it must be Romeo.
Me:I hate that name you gave him, but yeah, he’s here.
At the unexpected notification popping up, I nearly dropped my phone.
Me:“Romeo’s” texting me. I gotta go.
Hollis:Wait.
Me:Yeah?
Hollis:Be a little flirty (it won’t kill you, I promise). Try it. You might like it.
Me:Byeeee
I took a second to pull myself together, as I was feeling as though I was about to perform onAmerican Idolinstead of reading a man’s texts.
Unknown:Thought you should have my number.
Unknown:It’s Alex, by the way. Ryder gave me your digits.
I stared at his name, allowing it to unfold in my mind to his given one, Alejandro. I let it roll off my tongue, loving it far too much. Went so far as to program his number that way, too.
Me:Thank you.
This is not happening. Absolutely not. Zero feelings of any kind allowed outside the comfort and safety of my fantasies.
Alejandro:I apologize for walking into the wrong room. I can’t remember if I said that to you yet. I was a little thrown off.
Yeah, so was I.
Me:Things happen, whatcha gonna do? lol
Me:Sorry, that’s the millennial urge in me to end every uncomfortable statement with a haha or lol. You do that?
Alejandro:I identify as Gen X. Feel older than 37. I’m more of a thumbs-up kind of guy. I heard that it drives millennials crazy, though.
