Chapter Nine

 

 

“Did your neighbor ever return your plate of cookies?” Tammy asked as we sipped our margaritas and stared at the view of the city.

We were standing on my balcony, enjoying cocktails before Tammy had to leave for Austin to visit her boyfriend’s parents for the weekend.

I nearly choked on my drink, but was able to keep it down. “What? The plate? Yeah, he—wait, no, he hasn’t.”

Tammy gave me an appraising look. “Yes he did, or no he didn’t?”

“He hasn’t given it back.”

“You haven’t seen him all this time?”

It had been two weeks since I’d raced across the hall from Liam’s apartment, wearing nothing but his t-shirt with my damp bikini in my hand. That made us even—I had his t-shirt and he had my plate.

Not that I really wanted it back.

It would mean that I would have to see him again, and after what happened between us, I doubted I could look him in the eye and not want him.

He hadn’t called.

Which stung like a bitch.

I didn’t know what hurt the most. That he didn’t want to be with me or that he didn’t bother to talk like friends.

God, I was a fool.

Why had I even gone through with it?

I’d known that I would end up feeling this way, yet I’d allowed it to happen.

“Hello, Misty. You still there?” Tammy waved a hand in front of my face.

I blinked. “Yeah, I’m here.”

Tammy frowned. “You’ve been a thousand miles away. What’d you do? Meet a man and didn’t tell me about it? Did David end up calling you after all?”

“David called,” I said truthfully.

I didn’t want to talk about Liam. I had no idea why I hadn’t told Tammy about what happened between us.

Embarrassment. Shame.

Tammy wouldn’t have cared, but I just didn’t want to dredge up those confusing emotions.

“I didn’t pick up when David called,” I said. “The guy was a weirdo. It didn’t work out.”

Tammy shook her head. “What about Jonathan?”

“Oh, was that his name?” I drank from my margarita, enjoying the splash of cold in my belly, followed by a wave of heat in my cheeks. I shook my head. “In no way would that have ever happened.”

Tammy groaned. “Was it that bad?”

“He was so boring. How did you even meet him?”

“Friend from work. He seemed really nice,” she said defensively.

“Ugh.” I shook my head. “I think maybe I’m done with men for a while.”

Tammy nudged me with her elbow. “Thinking about switching lanes, are you?”

I laughed. “No. I mean maybe I’m done with dating and relationships for now.”

“You’ve barely started dating again after a long break. You need to loosen up. Get laid. Have fun.”

My face heated up. I turned away, hoping Tammy wouldn’t notice.

“Besides, you need to show Bryan that you’re over him,” my best friend continued. “Maybe you’ll meet Mr. Right and get married. That’ll show him.”

“I don’t want to show Bryan anything.”

“You’re over him already?”

Was I?

“I don’t know, but I don’t really care what he thinks of me or whether he knows I’m in a new relationship or not. I don’t want to date someone just to shove it in Bryan’s face.”

Tammy made a sound of approval. “You’re a stronger woman than me. I would make him suffer.”

I sighed. “Please don’t try to set me up with anyone for a while. I think I need a break.”

Tammy set her cup down on the railing. “Oh, come on. I have the perfect guy.”

“Tammy,” I warned. “Please don’t.”

“Come on. Just one more. You’ll really love him. His name is Mark, he’s the head of Ellington Marketing, and he’s great. Not boring like Jonathan, not creepy like David. I’m telling you, this guy is like the happy medium.”

I groaned, leaning my elbows on the railing. “I’m not ready to date seriously.”

Tammy clasped her hands together. “Please, Misty? Just one more date. He could be the one. I want you to meet this guy.”

“You say that about all of them.”

“Yeah, but what if this guy is the one and you lost your chance because you said no?”

I clenched my eyes shut.

“I just want you to be happy, Misty,” Tammy added. I glanced at her, and she gave a little pout.

“Ugh,” I groaned, throwing my head back. “Okay, fine. This is it though. No more. I’m done.”

Tammy jumped up and clapped her hands together. “Yes. Are you serious?” She didn’t wait for a response and instead did a little happy dance. “Great, that’s awesome. I’ll call Mark now.”

“Now?” I stared after Tammy’s retreating back as she ran back into the apartment. “Isn’t that a little fast? Does he already know about me?”

“I’ve told him all about you,” Tammy’s voice floated from the condo. “He’s interested and wants to meet you.”

She turned away and started talking into the phone. I only caught bits of the conversation. I turned my attention back to the view of the city.

Seeing Mark would be a nice break. After the night with Liam, I hadn’t gone out at all. It wasn’t that I was afraid to run into him in the hallways. I wasn’t avoiding him.

 So what if I looked through the peephole a few times to make sure the hall was empty before I opened my door?

I did that before he’d moved in.

And when I did see him in front of his door, I waited until he was gone before I opened mine.

That was all understandable.

We’d already had the awkward small talk the morning after our one- night stand. No need to repeat it. He’d made it clear—he wanted no relationship between us at all.

I got it loud and clear.

Tammy bounded back onto the balcony. “Is Saturday night okay?” she whispered, covering the phone with one hand.

I searched blindly for an excuse. “Um,” I said.

Tammy took it as yes. She turned to her phone. “Seven o’clock. I’ll give you the address and phone number.”

I sighed as Tammy took off into the apartment again. I downed the rest of my drink in one gulp.