I put the caramel cake out on the counter. I know he’s watching me, so I turn to where the camera is, give it a sweet smile—because I do want him to like me—and keep my voice as encouraging as I can when I say, “There’s more cake down here if you’d like some.”
It feels kind of weird to be talking to nobody, but I’m not actually talking to nobody. Probably. Titus might not be watching my every move, but he’s paying decently close attention, so chances are high he heard me.
Pulling out a plate and a fork, I set them on the counter beside the cake, then wander into the family room adjacent to the kitchen. I haven't spent much time in here—it’s a mess like everything else—but it has a television and gigantic leather sectional I’d like to be able to make use of. And since I’m going to be down here waiting for Titus to grace me with his presence, I might as well start the process of digging the room out.
It takes me nearly an hour to get the boxes of files and paperwork and who knows what else stacked into one corner. By then, I’m starting to feel kind of gross again, so I plop down on the newly excavated couch and pull out my phone.
I really thought the cake would get Titus to come talk to me, but if he’s going to ignore my very obvious invitation to meet, the guy genuinely might not have any intention of ever crossing my path. And I’m not sure I’m okay with that.
So, like any normal woman, I’m going to tell my best friend he’s being a jackass.
I pick Janie’s number from my list of favorites and start avideo chat. She picks up almost immediately, her grinning face filling my screen. “Hey, sexy lady.” Her smile slips. “What’s wrong?” Her eyes widen. “Oh God. Is it awful?”
“It’s not awful.” I sigh, slumping down a little as I try to come up with a way to explain the situation. “I’m just… Frustrated.” I do my best to recount the past few days to her, covering everything from the grocery and kitchenware deliveries, to the state of Titus’s house.
Then I get to the reason I called her. “And I still haven’t met him.”
Janie’s brows lift. “What do you mean you haven’t met him? I thought you said you’ve been cooking for him.”
“I have.” I tell her how Titus only seems to come out of his rooms when there’s no chance he’ll run into me. “Wouldn’t you want to meet the person cooking your food? I could be crazy. I could pick my nose and then touch his fruit.”
“If he’s watching you like you think he is, the guy knows you’re not boogering up his meals.” Janie lowers her voice. “You think he’s watching you now?”
My eyes lift to the camera directed at the great room. I lift my brows and wave, this time not bothering to look anything but annoyed. “Probably.”
“I think if you can’t see him, he shouldn’t get to see you.” Janie smirks. “Fair’s fair.”
It’s not a terrible idea, but it feels extreme. And risky. No, this situation isn’t perfect, but Titus doesn’t bother me. He pads my bank account and seems to appreciate my food.
I have a lot going for me here. I don’t want to mess that up just because I’m annoyed at his extreme anti-social tendencies.
“I’ll think about it.” I yawn, the constant exhaustion brought on by growing a human starting to make my limbs heavy. “What about you? How are things going in Moss Creek?”
I spend the next fifteen minutes being entertained by my friend’s animated stories. It helps soothe my need for humaninteraction and takes the edge off the sting of Titus’s apparent rejection of my invitation to meet.
By the time Janie slows down, I’m practically falling asleep. And since she’s my best friend, she can totally tell.
“I’m gonna let you go so you can get some rest.” Janie’s brows pinch in concern. “Do you want me to come there and drag him out of his lair? I will. I’ll drop everything and drive down right now.”
I smile. “I know you will, but I’m okay. I just needed to bitch for a minute.” Another yawn works free. “I’m sure I’ll feel better in the morning.”
Outside of the morning sickness, that is.
“If you don’t, all you have to do is say the word and I’ll be there.” Janie’s expression turns serious. “And we’ll break into that room and tell Titus Bradshaw to get over himself.”
I snort, knowing full well she means every word she’s saying. “I’ll give him a little while longer before I resort to breaking and entering.”
Janie shoots me a fake pout. “You’re no fun.”
“Fun has never gotten me anywhere good, so it’s probably better that way.” I slide a little lower on the surprisingly comfortable sofa. “I’m gonna go. I’ll call you later.”
“You better.” Janie blows me a kiss. “I love you big bunches.”
“Love you too.” I stifle a yawn as I use my thumb to end the call.
I really freaking miss her. Miss being able to sit down and bitch in person. Janie and I became friends the first day of culinary school, and while her time there didn’t last, our connection did. To the point I lured her to Moss Creek so we could live close.
And then I freaking screwed up yet again. And I left. And there’s no way I’ll be able to get her to come here. Not now that she’s all loved up and getting pounded through the mattress on a regular basis.
