We finish today at five. Just tell me when and where. First drink is on me.
She sends me her location, and I slip my phone back in my pocket, trying to think of someplace fun to take her. And when the perfect place comes to my mind, I pick up the pace. Anxious to get home and to spend time with an old friend.
We lie side by side, sweaty and out of breath. So we didn’t quite make it to dinner. But we did make it to happy hour and managed to snag a few appetizers. But when the eye contact lingered just a little too long, I knew I wasn’t going to be introducing her to my favorite Greek spot in Soho.
Simone bursts into a fit of giggles. It’s contagious, and soon enough, we’re both laughing as if we just got away with doingsomething scandalous. “We probably shouldn’t have done that,” she says once the laughter finally subsides.
“No, probably not,” I agree.
Just because it wasn’t the best idea doesn’t mean I regret it. It’s been a while since I’ve fallen into bed with a beautiful woman who wasn’t after something serious. At least with Simone, I know she isn’t after a relationship.
She turns on her side to face me. “It was fun, though. Even if youwerethinking about someone else.”
“What? No, I wasn’t,” I say, insulted and shocked. A perfectly manicured brow raises, and she stares at me, clearly not convinced. “I wasn’t.” I laugh. Then it dawns on me. “Wait, wereyou?”
She laughs and looks back at the ceiling, tucking the sheets under her arms. “No.”
I glare. “Real convincing.”
She grins and runs her hands down her face, peeking at me through her fingers. “I swear, this isn’t why I texted you.” I arch an eyebrow, unconvinced and not even remotely upset if itwasthe reason. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m not mad about it. I just thought it might be good to see you. To catch up properly, you know? See how you’ve been.”
I prop myself up and look at her. “I don’t believe for a second you weren’t looking for a repeat.”
She smacks my side. “Oh, shut up.” She groans and throws her arm over her eyes. “I think I’m in love with my roommate.”
“Yourroommate?” Jesus, I thought I had it bad having feelings for my best friend. But living with someone you’re in love with and watching them bring other people home? “Are you going to tell her? That you, you know, love her?”
Her arm slides off her face, and she takes a deep breath. “I did. About two months ago. She said she was flattered, but…”
I wince. “Ouch.” There is nothing that smarts more than pouring your heart out to someone, only for them to tell you they don’t feel the same way. One of the million reasons I’ve kept my mouth shut when it comes to Jules.
“We’re still friends. Though I’m pretty sure I’m going to need to find a new place to live because yikes, is it awkward.”
We lie silently, listening to the city sounds coming from the street below. I stare at the ceiling, at the tiny shadows created from thesingular wall sconce beside the bed in Simone’s hotel room. My mind drifts to another hotel in another city, in another life, with another girl. Somehow, everything always comes back to that moment. Toher. My throat feels tight.
“Julia’s engaged,” I whisper.
Simone inhales sharply. “Yeah, I heard.” Her fingers brush along my forearm in a gentle, comforting touch. I can feel her gaze. “I’m sorry, Alex.”
I shake my head. “Don’t be. She’s happy.”
“Areyou?”
I close my eyes, wondering how once again conversation has somehow managed to circle its way back to my happiness. “Everyone keeps asking me that.”
“Telltale sign you probably aren’t.” Simone leans over the side of the bed, snagging some of our discarded clothes. Clearly, our romantic moment has ended. She slips on her cami, followed by her underwear, then hands me my shirt.
I pull it over my head, grateful not to be so exposed. “Thank you, Dr. Howard,” I joke.
She just shrugs and motions at the kettle on the other side of the room. “Tea?”
I nod. May as well. She fills the pot with water, plugs it in, and opens a box of locally purchased tea bags.
“I thought I was,” I tell her honestly. “Happy, I mean. At least, I thought I could be.”
Once the mugs are turned over and ready, she leans against the table and crosses her arms, giving me her undivided attention while she waits for the water to boil. “Explain.”
I draw up my knees and rest my forearms on them, leaning forward. “I thought by putting space between us, it would make it easier to forget.”
