Page 111 of The Heart You Kept

“So you went over there, right?”

I shake my head. “No.”

“What?” She screws up her face. “You called him?”

“No.”

“Are you fucking serious right now?”

“I want a chance of something more and I know he is trying to force me to make this about sex.”

“Everything is about sex, you idiot.”

“Not this.”

“Oh my god.” She puts her head into her hands. “Have I taught you nothing?”

“Too much, actually.”

“So did he call you?”

“Nope.”

She drags her hand down her face. “Go home right now and FaceTime him naked.”

“No way.”

“I’m not even joking, he is the hottest male on the planet. Stop playing games with him.”

“He’s the one playing games,” I fire back. “If he wants to see me he has to make more of an effort than jerking off in my back room.”

Her mouth falls open as her eyes hold mine. “He jerked off in the back room. Did he come?”

I smile and her eyes widen.

She simulates sliding down her chair. “God…I see what you’re doing for others. When is it my turn?”

“It was so hard not calling him, but I have faith that he’s going to call me.”

“He has to, right?”

“Honestly—” I shrug, “—I don’t even know.” I think for a moment. “Luckily I’m going to Paris this weekend. It will take my mind off it.”

“Why on earth would you ever want to take your mind off seeing Edward Prescott jerk off for you?” She thinks for a moment. “Wait, did he have lube or….”

“He spat in his hand.”

Her eyes roll back in her head as she fans her face. “I’m. Dying.”

I giggle. “Me and you both.”

Paris….

The cure for all. The right to the wrongs, everything is rosy in Paris.

At least it is for me.

I smile into my glass of wine at my tiny table for one as I look around the romantic restaurant. Candles are on the tables and people are chattering away and having a grand old time.