Total pages in book: 120
Estimated words: 113464 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 567(@200wpm)___ 454(@250wpm)___ 378(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113464 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 567(@200wpm)___ 454(@250wpm)___ 378(@300wpm)
Which is why I don’t want to come straight out and ask Tatum why she seems distracted. She’s here physically, but her thoughts are a mile away. She’s not the bubbly girl I know. It’s like someone took the volume control and turned it down.
“What?” she asks with a tight smile.
“Sorry. I didn’t realize I was staring at you.”
“I mean, I know I’m beautiful.” She tosses her golden hair and rolls her eyes the way she always does. It gives me hope, but the hope is short-lived. Her eyes dim again, and she quickly turns her attention to the bacon cheeseburger on her plate.
“It’s funny. All that delicious food in France, and all I wanted after a few days was one of these.” She sinks her teeth in and closes her eyes, and I’m glad to see her truly enjoying something for the first time since she got home three days ago.
“So seriously, do you have pictures? What did it look like? Did you see any famous people?” Because, of course, she only stayed in the most exclusive areas, where celebrities sometimes vacation. At least, that was the way she made it sound when she first described the trip to me months ago.
She shakes her head, picking at the bun. She’s been biting her nails, I see. A new habit. “Not really.”
That’s another thing. She usually never stops talking. When we were younger, Dad used to call her the Energizer Bunny because she would keep going and going. I didn’t think that had changed until now.
I know why. And I want to die right here in this booth.
It was one thing for her to be okay with Callum and me when she was an ocean away, but obviously, she feels differently now. We haven’t been physically affectionate in front of her, and I’ve kept from talking about us. It’s too awkward, and I don’t want her to feel like I’m rubbing her nose in it.
I hate feeling like I’m walking on eggshells around her, but I don’t want to bring it up. I don’t want to force a conversation if she doesn’t want to discuss this relationship. When she wants to, she’ll come to me. We’re both adults. I have to give her space.
And until she comes around, I’ll be staying in her father’s room. This is so fucked up.
By the time we finish eating—she doesn’t do much more than pick at her food, even after rambling about how much she was craving a burger—she slides out of the booth wearing a determined expression. “I want to go shopping. I need a few new things, especially for when I start my internship next month.”
I can’t put my finger on it, but something about that seems off. Just one more thing. “What a shame you didn’t just vacation somewhere with incredible clothes stores,” I remind her. “I figured you would come back with trunks full of new clothes.”
“Yeah, well, I didn’t get much of a chance to go shopping.” She’s digging through her purse, intent on finding her lip balm, but I wonder if she is also avoiding looking at me. Something’s not adding up, and I don’t know how to phrase it in a way that won’t piss her off and bring our day to an end.
She was gone for almost two months, and it’s like she came back a different person. Callum asked over dinner last night if Kristoff would come around to thank him for the trip, and she looked like she was going to throw up. She hasn’t mentioned him to me, and considering how tight-lipped she’s been, I don’t know if that means there’s something wrong with him or what.
“I could use a few things for work,” I offer. It’s difficult trying to sound chipper with this dark cloud hanging over us, but I do my best as we leave the restaurant and head for the car waiting outside. Romero isn’t driving, which is unusual, but Callum has kept him busy lately with all kinds of work I’m not allowed to know the details of. I’m sure it’s better that way.
“Just make sure it’s nothing too cute, or Dad might get jealous.” I almost choke on my spit when she says it, but she pairs it with a light, genuine laugh that makes her sound like her old self.
I wish I knew what to think. I only know I’m so starved for her presence and friendship that hearing her laugh like that is a gift.
“This is cute.” I turn around in the mirror and check myself out over my shoulder. I wish it would get cold soon, so I have an excuse to wear a sweater dress. It’ll be super cute with boots.
I bet Callum would love it. The idea makes me giggle at myself. He won’t be able to keep his hands off me with my curves on display. I might not make it out of the house before he attacks.