Each second I get closer to home, I’m closer to Faye. I know without a doubt, I want to see her tonight, but the question remains—is she up for seeing me?
For fuck’s sake, Lancaster. Get it together.
I’ve commanded thousands of airmen and have made life and death decisions without a second glance. I can certainly call this woman.
At one point, she was my best fucking friend.
Man up and fucking do it already.
When my stomach growls, I make a split-second decision and pull off to the side of the road. Instead of calling, I quickly tap out a text:
Me:
I’ll be home in twenty. Have you eaten dinner?
There. I’ve made contact.
All I can do now is wait and see if she responds.
When my phone buzzes with an incoming text, I stare at it for the longest time.
Unknown Number:
I’ll be home in twenty. Have you eaten dinner?
I knew it was Mark before I even stopped reading.
Of course, in typical Mark fashion, he’s completely thrown me off guard.
What the hell do I even make of this?
Who sends shit like this to someone they haven’t spoken to in thirty years?
I know our interaction was awkward at best the other morning, but it’s rather presumptuous that I’d be available for dinner.
Be home in twenty—Does that mean he expects me to join him?
Who does that?
After three days of no contact, the thought of seeing him again makes my stomach feel as if bulls are stampeding, rather than butterflies swarming inside me. My connection to Mark has always been intense. But this is beyond ridiculous.
I’m not some young schoolgirl talking to her first crush. I’m a grown woman, for crying out loud.
Reading through the text for what feels like the millionth time, I’m still flabbergasted.
Wait—was this even meant for me?
Surely, this type of text is meant for someone he’s familiar with. Maybe he’s got family in town or—crap, he’s seeing someone and texted me by accident?
As I stare at my phone, willing his words to make sense, another text comes through.
Unknown Number:
Either you’re busy or overanalyzing who sent you this.
A laugh rips through my body, and the tension I’d been feeling releases instantly.
Before I can respond, another text comes through.
