Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 41482 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 207(@200wpm)___ 166(@250wpm)___ 138(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 41482 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 207(@200wpm)___ 166(@250wpm)___ 138(@300wpm)
I was his world. I knew that without a doubt.
And then I felt myself blush as I thought about being with him tonight, about what I wanted, how I wanted him to touch me, make love to me... fuck me.
The sound of my cell vibrating had me reaching in my pocket to pull it out.
Michael: Want to get drinks tonight?
I stepped off to the side so I could type out a reply.
Me: Can’t. Have plans with Pope ;)
Michael: Like plan-plans? I mean, I should know with the winky face you put at the end lol
I smiled and shook my head as I responded.
Me: Yeah, like plan-plans.
I started laughing, not caring if anyone saw me.
Me: I think I’m in love.
I just went right ahead and told Michael. I wanted him to know. I wanted to be able to be open about how I felt, because it felt good to say it out loud.
Michael: Whoa. Well, I want details in person the next time we see each other. Telling me this bombshell through text is a no-go.
I smiled.
Me: Deal. Text you tomorrow
Michael: You better!
I tucked my phone back in my pocket and just stood there for a second, feeling my smile spread as I thought about Pope. I turned, about to head back to my apartment, when I happened to glance inside the window of the little restaurant I’d stopped in front of. It was this small Italian café, the decor consisting of grapevines and ancient-looking cobblestone walls with the cracks in place for authenticity. I could practically smell the homemade marinara coming through the glass.
I was about to start walking, when I felt my heart race at the sight of Pope. He’d told me he’d call me later, because he had a last-minute work meeting to attend, and although I knew corporate men did have meetings at restaurants, my heart started racing for other reasons. My belly tightened, tingling moving through my entire body.
I didn’t know what I expected or what I’d see, but as I watched him focus on his phone, as I watched him and time seemed to stand still, I just knew something wasn’t right. Maybe it was the setup, the perfect storm, so to speak.
And then I saw her, this gorgeous woman in a tailored pantsuit heading right to Pope. She had this smile on her face, and it was like her presence pulled him out of his cell phone focus. He lifted his head and his eyes widened a moment before he stood, setting his phone down and holding his hands out, maybe to embrace her, maybe because he was surprised. Either way, it was like the world completely stopped as they hugged, and he pulled back and started speaking to her, her smile wide.
I should have left right then and there, but it was like a sick feeling held me in place, this grotesque curiosity that had me waiting for him to kiss her. Because that’s usually how this went, right? That’s usually how things ended?
Pope
I couldn’t believe I was standing in front of Soraya. She might be my ex-girlfriend, but we’d parted mutually and on good terms. I hadn’t seen her since, so the initial shock was definitely there.
“Oh my God, Pope. It’s been so long since I’ve seen you.” She had me pulled in for a hug before I could stop her.
The truth was, it did feel a little strange giving her a hug. And although there was nothing sexual about it, I didn’t like it. It felt wrong, and so I pulled back immediately, wanting to keep that distance, because all I could think about was Olive and getting back to her.
Because Olive was the one thing, the only one I wanted.
“What are you doing here?” She pointed to a table off to the side. “I’m having some drinks with a friend. I happened to glance over and see you, and there was no way I wasn’t going to come say hi.” She looked me up and down, but it was sincere, not as if she were checking me out. “You look good.”
I smiled and nodded. “Thanks. You look happy.” I saw her cheeks turn pink and couldn’t help but chuckle. “I assume that happiness has something to do with a certain someone in your life?” She was nice and genuine and she deserved to be happy. Just because it didn’t work out with us didn’t mean I had to be an asshole.
“Maybe. But he’s a complicated guy, so there’s that.” I chuckled softly, not asking for more details or delving into it. That was her business and not something I needed to know. “So are you here for business or pleasure?” She glanced around, her focus landing on the table I’d been sitting at. “I know you liked to take your work home with you, so to speak.”