Page 12 of Moonshot

Ugh.

“So, you were saying. Is the job causing you to work longer hours, or is it just wearing you out?”

“The latter. I’m having a lot more headaches than ever before. I honestly attribute most of them to my surly boss. Most nights I come home, and I’m in bed by 8:00.”

“Hell, Ava. You’re only twenty-seven. Please don’t turn into Aunt Carolyn.”

“It’s not like anyone chooses this, Carson. I’ve been doing pretty well, all things considered. I haven’t had to go to the ER for any treatment in a long while. Up until recently, I’d never missed a day from work. And even then, I came in at lunch to try and prevent any more of the patients from being inconvenienced. Not that my boss appreciated it.”

“What do you mean?”

“He basically shamed me for having the nerve to be so sick I’d have to miss work.”

“Fucker. Give me his license plate number. I’ll find a way to get him,” he threatens. For all of his bravado with women and about his power as a police officer, I know my cousin. He’d never do anything sketchy. He’s very upfront about his playboy status. If a woman gets her feelings hurt when he doesn’t call back, that’s all on her. And he loves his job and would never do anything questionable. He’s wanted to be a police officer since we were kids and played cops and robbers. I recall desperately wanting to dress up in the police costume and use the plastic handcuffs with the little toy key, but Carson was always the cop. It was in the cards from the beginning.

“Oh, you’ll do no such thing.” I laugh.

The polite server returns with our drinks, quickly taking our entrée orders before returning to the kitchen. She’s jubilant and professional, a stark contrast to Edward at the café recently. I shudder at the thought. Then again, this young lady may have already fallen under my handsome cousin’s spell.Lady killer.

“So, how’s your love life, Av? You finally let anyone special in?”

Taking a bite of my salad, I glance around the place. “Well, I’m not sure. I had a lunch date recently. It was here, as a matter of fact. It was a quick date on my lunch break.”

“Oh, yeah. How’d that go?” he asks around a bite of lasagna.

“I thought it went great. He was so polite and charming. There was never a lull in our conversation. He works as a sales rep for a medical device company and has been visiting my office for about a year now. I’ve been interested for a while, so when he finally asked, I was thrilled.”

Wiping his mouth, he drops the napkin to his lap, giving me his full attention. “Why does this feel like there’s a but coming?”

“Well, that’s just it. He seemed as excited about the afternoon as I was, saying he’d pull out all of the stops once more if I’d agree to go out with him again. We grinned at each other like teenagers the whole way back to my office. He kissed my hand, said goodbye, and I haven’t heard from him since.”

“What? That doesn’t make any sense.”

“I thought so too, but maybe I’m missing something. Is it odd he didn’t ask for my number?”

“Well, sure. A little. But you said it was a quick date. Maybe the time got away from him, and he didn’t think about it until after he left. But…”

“But, what?”

“He knows where you work. I’m just saying, Av. If it’d been me, I would’ve called there and asked for you or come by if I hadn’t gotten your number. But then again, that’s me. I’m a player. You know how my mind works. I’m always thinking ahead on how I can seal the deal.”

Taking a sip of my water, I can’t help but agree. I’ve considered this myself. If he’d really had that great a time with me and wanted to see me again, it wouldn’t have taken much to get my number.

“Come on, Ava. Cheer up. I bet there’s more to it. This guy sounds like he liked you. Maybe work’s been tough for him too.”

“Maybe. I think he travels for work also. So I guess that could be it. I was supposed to see him again the day I called out sick. By the time I got to work, I’d already missed him.”

“Just be careful. Guys who travel…”

“Guys who travel, what?”

“Ava. A lot of guys who are out of town several days a week for their job like it that way. They can meet a different woman in every zip code. They don’t have to worry with a relationship. If this does work out with him, just be careful. I know every guy isn’t a player. But I don’t want to see you hurt.” Putting his fork down, he swivels slightly in his chair in order to face me. “If he hasn’t tried any harder than this to reach out, it could be because you’re more interested in this relationship than he is. Because he’s getting his dick wet on the road, and you’re just the local girl. I mean, if I liked a girl, I would’ve found a way to get in touch with her by now.”

My brows scrunch together in a pained grimace, and I feel my stomach summersault. I hadn’t considered this. Putting my fork down, I’ve suddenly lost my appetite.

“Babe. I could be wrong. I just want to warn you because you’re too fucking nice. I don’t want to see anyone take advantage of you.” He lays his hand back over mine, and I try to swallow the lump in my throat.

“How are you enjoying everything—”

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