Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 81182 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81182 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
“Love you too,” I mutter, watching him kiss the side of my mom's head before he disappears out of sight.
“He’s gone,” Mom says quietly, then her face softens. “You know, when your dad and I got together, I convinced myself that I didn’t want to be with him.”
“I know. I’ve heard the story.”
“Then you know that if it weren’t for him being so sure we would end up together and shoving down the walls I built up to protect myself, I wouldn’t have this beautiful life I do now.” She lowers her voice as she continues. “You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to, and if you’re not interested in Walker, by all means, get your phone back and block him. But if there’s even the tiniest bit of interest there, do yourself a favor, honey, and give him a chance.”
“Sure.”
“All right,” she says softly before tipping her head to the side. “You look tired. Get some sleep and call me tomorrow when you get back home again.”
“I will. Love you.”
“Love you too.” She ends the call, and I sigh as I pull up the video group chat I have with my cousins. Which I learn was a huge mistake when they all start laughing after I tell them about the phone mix-up and Walker talking to my parents.
“You can stop laughing.” I glare at April, July, May, and Harmony, but they don’t stop. If anything, they start to laugh harder. May using the sleeve of her sweater to dab the wetness from her eyes makes me regret my decision to call them. So much for moral support.
“It’s you in the situation, so you don’t get how funny it is.” July tries and fails to pull it together, and I press my lips into a thin line.
“There is nothing funny about having a guy you just met telling your parents you two are seeing each other, then explaining to them that the only reason you’re reluctant to admit it is because you were hurt by your ex and don’t trust men. Then for your parents to think that is totally normal and agree with him.”
“He just told them what they already knew,” Harmony says quietly, giving me a soft look. “The whole reason you decided to stop dating for a year was because you were hurt and don’t trust men. He didn’t lie.”
“Let me ask you something,” April cuts in, and I focus on her face in the corner of my computer screen. “If you didn’t still have the bitter taste of Ben’s betrayal in your mouth, would you have agreed to see Walker when he told you he wanted to see you again?”
“Maybe,” I snap.
“Then I’m glad he’s going to this extreme to get and keep your attention.” She smirks.
“You forget.” I narrow my eyes on her smug face. “I didn’t tell him that I wanted to see him again, and I was just supposed to have a vacation fling—which, I might add, was your brilliant suggestion.”
“You’re right, but sometimes we get in our own way, thinking we’re protecting ourselves, when all we’re actually doing is causing a different kind of damage. Trust me. I’ve been there and done that, so good for him for going after what he wants.”
“And what about what I want?”
“You want him, Hanna. You’re just being stubborn.” Harmony rolls her eyes.
“Now, the real question here is… have you gone through his phone?” July asks, and I jerk back.
“What? No! Absolutely not.”
“You should.” She shrugs. “You can tell a lot about a person by what is in their phone. Think about how much information you have on your phone, from old texts to photos. Heck, even your Google searches say a lot about who you are.”
“Unlike him, I respect other people's privacy.”
“I’m going to assume from that comment that he’s gone through your phone already?” April smiles.
“Yes, and thanks for the message asking if he was good in bed.”
“You’re welcome.” She grins, then her look becomes curious. “So how was he?”
“We're not talking about that.”
“She’s blushing, so that means he’s good.” May laughs, then asks, “When are you seeing him again?”
“He’s still in Ibiza and is going back to work. He said he has time off in a couple of weeks. We’ll meet up then to exchange phones.”
“I guarantee you’re going to do a lot more than exchange phones when you see him again.” April grins, and I sigh.
Any other family would consider this whole situation with Walker concerning, but of course mine thinks his behavior is completely normal.
“I’m going to hang up now. I need to get ready for work in the morning.”
“Keep us updated on what’s going on.”
Ignoring that request, I hang up after saying goodbye and glance over at Walker’s phone on my nightstand. Picking it up, the screen comes to life, and I stare at his picture for a moment before sliding my finger across the bottom. A tiny voice in the back of my head urges me to snoop, and even though I know it’s wrong, I touch the Photos icon and begin swiping through his pictures.