Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 84195 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84195 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
“Six-to-eight weeks really isn’t that long,” Dane said once we were seated.
I glared at him.
“Not helping,” Jesse said without taking his eyes off the menu. He had a full face of makeup, with this really pretty pink eyeshadow and matching lip gloss. He was better at makeup than anyone I knew, but I never told him that because we worked better when we were in competition with each other.
“How is that not helping?” Dane asked. “I lived with my sister for longer than that.”
“Yeah,” I said, “but she was your sister. I’ll lose my mind if I have to move in with my mom, and I’ll have to sleep on her couch. You guys don’t know what it’s like. My mom likes boys as much as I do, and I’m definitely supportive because why can’t women love sex? But on the other hand, who wants to be in the living room while their mom has sex, ya know?” Ew. I didn’t even want to think about it.
“What about your new boy?” Jesse asked. “Old bestie guy—Clarence or whatever his name is.”
“Clark.”
“Oooh, he sounds like a sexy Spider-Man or something.”
Dane rolled his eyes. “Superman. Clark Kent was Superman.”
“Spider-Man, Superman, whatever. Same thing,” Jesse countered.
Dane opened his mouth to argue, I was sure, but I said, “Um…what about me? You two are getting distracted. Isn’t this about me? I know how you’ll get. You’ll disagree and then end up going to fuck somewhere. I’m feeling needy.”
They both laughed, but before they could answer, the waiter came to take our orders. I got the biggest order of French fries they made, with cheese and bacon. They ordered burgers, and then we were alone again.
“It’s…nice,” I replied. “Staying with him. He’s ridiculous and adorable and I missed being friends with him, but we just reconnected, and I’m supposed to be like, Yeah, I know you said I could stay with you, but hey, it’s now going to be two months. Don’t mind the clothes on the floor. You can step over them.”
“Or you could, you know, pick up your clothes,” Jesse said in unison with Dane’s, “You leave your clothes all over his apartment?”
“I was joking. I just got my clothes, remember?” But I did know me. I’d lived with me my whole life and all. “No, but seriously, I won’t leave my shit all over his place. I make him crazy enough when I cook.” Which was kind of cute.
“I’m sure he won’t mind,” Jesse said. “He already said you could stay with him for as long as you needed, right?”
I nodded. He had, but still, it made me feel like…I didn’t know. A loser. I didn’t ever want to seem like I was taking advantage of him. Eight weeks was longer than I’d expected. It probably was for him too.
“I’ll figure it out.” I waved off their concern.
“Five seconds ago you wanted this to be all about you, and now you want to change the subject, I can tell,” Jesse said.
Okay, so maybe I was a little finicky that way. “Lies!” I winked. “I was thinking of a new design I want to try for the Playground, this off-the-shoulder crop top, with some lace, like 1980s Madonna. I want to do lace gloves too. If it works, maybe I can make one for you too, and we can wear them one night for a dance-off or something?”
“Ooh! I like that idea!” Jesse replied, and the subject was officially changed, but I was still thinking about what I was going to do and about how much fabric had gotten ruined. It would be expensive to replace.
We finished our meal, which I paid for since they’d helped me pack and move things. They tried to refuse, but I’d sneaked my card to the waiter when they weren’t paying attention.
Walking into Clark’s building without him was always weird. I left my stuff in the car, because I didn’t want to look like I was really moving all my shit in.
Eddie was there. He was my favorite doorman.
“Good evening,” he said.
“What’s up, man? Any apartment drama?”
His brows pulled together as if he was confused.
“Oh, come on. You have to hear all sorts of juicy things around here. Who got caught having sex with the blinds open? Who’s cheating on who? Spill the deets!”
Eddie laughed. “A gentleman never tells.”
“Gentlemen are boring.” I winked, earning myself another chuckle.
“You’re fun. You’re nothing like Clark’s last boyfriend.”
Okay, so yeah, I super wanted to ask for more details there too, but I bit my tongue so I didn’t. “We’re just friends. He’s helping me out. But I am fun.”
We chatted for a few more minutes, and then I took the elevator up to Clark’s place. He usually didn’t get home until six or later, so I was surprised to find him in the kitchen, cooking. I wasn’t sure if it was better going home to him, or going home to his apartment like it was mine.