Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 78155 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78155 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
“Um…” I didn’t know how to answer that question. “I really don’t know. It’s so early, and I’m not in a rush to find out where it’s going. Do I expect us to end up together? No. But I never expect any kind of future with anyone.” Because my family was supposed to be my future, and they were brutally murdered. I’d gotten used to being on my own, so I didn’t need to have someone. “I’m fine seeing where it goes. I gotta imagine he’ll get tired of me at some point, and it’ll fizzle out.”
“Why do you think that?”
“I showed you his picture, didn’t I?” I said with a laugh. “That man could have anyone he wants.”
“You forget how beautiful you are, Aliénor.”
“Aww, you’re sweet.”
“If I were into girls, I’d be doing everything to get into you.”
I was about to take a bite of my croissant when I burst into a laugh. “Oh wow.”
“So, don’t sell yourself short.”
“I’m not. I just have realistic expectations.”
“Well, how do you feel about him?” he asked. “For you to be this detached.”
“I’m not detached.”
“You assume it’s going to end, when this man got you a job.”
“I don’t assume. But I don’t assume it’s going to be more than what it is right now. And that’s fine with me. The present is a beautiful thing. I live in it every day.” Because all I had was the past and the crippling fear of being murdered every moment of my life. This peaceful existence was something I would cherish every day—and the man who gave it to me. Even if Luca dropped me for someone else, I would always have love for him in my heart.
“But do you want more than what it is right now?”
I shrugged.
“Aliénor, you can be honest with me. It’s not like I’m going to run off and tell him. If I ever came face-to-face with that guy, I wouldn’t be able to speak, not in the presence of a god.”
I chuckled. “Honestly?”
“Always honestly.”
“I really like him…obviously.”
“I’d judge you if you didn’t.”
“And I can see myself falling headfirst into his midnight-black eyes and staying there forever.”
“Damn, poetic.”
“But I won’t let myself get there. Not unless he gives me a reason to.”
After I got off work, he texted me. Dinner tonight?
My heart leaped in joy—and then crashed back to earth. I can’t tonight. Tomorrow?
His three dots didn’t appear.
I stared at the screen until it turned black.
I walked the rest of the way home from Diamant, grabbed a couple of items from the store on my way, and then entered my empty apartment. I flicked on the lights and kicked off my heels because they killed me after all the walking I did around the city.
I’d set down my bag on the dining table when Luca texted me again. What are your plans tonight?
I hadn’t expected him to ask me that. Now I wondered if the reason there was such a pause between messages was because he considered what I said and how to respond. Going out with a friend.
There was another long pause.
Something was weird about this conversation. He wasn’t being himself, and I didn’t know why.
He eventually texted back. I’ll see you tomorrow.
I let the conversation drop, did some laundry, and tidied up in the apartment. I checked my mail and paid some bills then unloaded my dishwasher.
My phone vibrated with another text. Come over after.
I smirked at his message, realizing he actually missed me. Sure. But it might be kinda late.
Then I’ll come to your place.
That works for me.
26
ALIÉNOR
Dominic and I went out to the bar, had one too many drinks and a great time. I got more attention from the men than he did, but because they were all gay, it was welcome. They complimented my hair and my heels and made me feel like a pretty princess.
Dominic didn’t seal the deal with anyone, and instead of going our separate ways home, he walked me to my apartment.
“You don’t have to walk me to the door.”
“Come on, it’s almost midnight,” he said. “I’m walking you to the door like a gentleman.”
I’d forgotten about Luca with all the drinks and the music, so I pulled out my phone and texted when we got into the elevator.
“Luca?” Dominic asked.
“Yeah, he wanted to come over. But it’s late, and I’ve got work in the morning.”
We rode the little elevator to my floor.
“I don’t care how late it is. I would never turn that down.” He laughed a little harder than he normally would. “Dick of a god…”
I laughed a little harder than normal too.
He walked me right to the door and watched me make it inside. “See you later, beautiful.”
“Bye, babe.”
He hugged me and kissed me on the cheek then walked down the hallway.
I shut the door and locked it before I hung up my coat on the coatrack. I set my purse on the counter, and I pulled out my phone to see what Luca had said.