Total pages in book: 56
Estimated words: 52864 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 264(@200wpm)___ 211(@250wpm)___ 176(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52864 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 264(@200wpm)___ 211(@250wpm)___ 176(@300wpm)
“Who?” she asked.
“Never mind. He’s gone. So, are you going to finally ask out your boss now that you’re single?” I asked.
Conni laughed. She hated her boss. He was some crusty old pervert who always hit on her. I kept telling her to file a complaint with HR, but she worked in special effects at a very prestigious company across the bay. She was stuck between the fear of being labeled a troublemaker in the industry or losing her mind.
“Maybe you’re right,” she said. “I should ask him out. And while we’re eating, I can chew with my mouth open, fart, get sloppy drunk, and throw up on his lap. That would stop him from wanting me.”
I chuckled. This was exactly why Conni had been my best friend since college. She had a weird way of seeing things and turning lemons into lemonade. I just wished she’d fight harder for herself, but she was as stubborn as Leo. Once her mind was made up, that was it. I was like a willow in the wind, swaying with the punches. Leo always accused me of having zero backbone, but I never saw myself as a pushover. I just…didn’t like drama or unnecessary conflict.
“So, what’s your plan?” she asked and then slapped the table before I could reply. “Oh. Hey. You can always move in with me again.”
“I’m not that desperate.”
“Wow.” She pressed her hand to her cheek. “Ouch.”
“Oh, stop. You and Leo don’t get along, and I’m sure we’ll figure something out with the house.” Money would be tight, but we’d survive, even if it meant selling the place at a loss.
“Who said he was invited?”
What the…? I was not leaving Leo. Why would she even think that? “He’s going to come around, just like you said.” But as I spoke the words, I had to ask, “Exactly why don’t you like him, again?”
I’d questioned her dozens of times over the years, but she never gave a clear answer: “We’re just different people,” she’d say, or, “I don’t dislike him, but there’s only one reason I hang out with him, and that’s you.”
Conni shrugged. “He’s too caught up in his image.”
This was a new response. “Well, yeah. He cares about being successful, and I prefer that over being with some slacker.”
She leaned in close. “Piper, you are a hot, hot woman. And you’re smart, caring, and hardworking. But, girl, you have bad taste in men.” She clicked her tongue at me.
That was a bold statement, considering she’d only seen me with a handful of guys. None of them had been serious relationships except Leo. “I do not.”
“You one hundred percent do. It’s like you absolutely refuse to see men’s flaws.” Grinning, she leaned back in her chair. “I swear, Piper, if the devil himself knocked on your door, you’d invite him in, bake him cookies, and compliment his radiant horns.” Conni held up two index fingers over her head like horns.
I took my napkin, crumpled it up, and threw it at her face with a snicker. “Oh, boohoo. I don’t look for the bad in men, like some people I know.” Meaning her.
“Maybe it’s time you do.”
“It’s a moot point. I’m with Leo, who’s great. We’re getting married. And say what you want about my weakness, but you’re a cynic, and you still got blindsided by Steve.”
“That’s because I’m a sucker for a big dick.”
Just then, the waiter walked up with our wine. He smiled at Conni, clearly having heard her comment.
She and I both laughed.
He opened the bottle of Bordeaux, poured two glasses, and said he’d return promptly with our big sausage plate.
“Just the way we like it,” Conni said to him and then raised her glass to me. “Here’s to our weaknesses. May they always keep our beds warm.”
CHAPTER FIVE
Leo came home late that night, looking like he’d been worked over by a bottle of Jack. He grabbed some water and went straight to bed.
I was relieved to see him, but he’d never ignored me like this before. Not even during our worst fights. Where had he even stayed last night?
Wanting to give him space, I slept in the guest room, which was the only other bedroom with a working bathroom. We’d replaced the basics, like the toilet and hardware, and there was a big shower that flowed into a pedestal tub. With the small, black-and-white-checkered tile, it was my second favorite room in the house after the kitchen.
When I woke the next morning, I found Leo in his study—just off the foyer—typing away and not in a talking mood. Better to let him do his thing and recover.
I brought him coffee, kissed his head, and wished him luck on the job search. He grunted in response.
I got to washing clothes in the laundry room we’d set up in the original pantry just off the kitchen. It was Sunday, so that also meant grading papers and planning for the week ahead.