Page 136 of Curvy Girl Summer

“Aaliyah!” one of the IT guys called out for me from the cracked door. “Meeting’s about to start.”

I glanced over my shoulder and then looked back at her. “I misheard you and got confused,” I said in a rush. Backing away from her, I shook my head. “I’m sorry.”

Her eyes were narrowed at me as I turned around and scurried back into the office. Feeling the knot in my stomach grow, I tried to focus on the itinerary that was handed to me. I participated in the meeting, but as soon as it was over, I went to my desk and plucked the card from my bag.

Words can’t express how much I appreciate you,I read the card to myself.Thank you.

I stared at the scrawling script of his name, and my heart thumped in my chest.

What the hell is that supposed to mean?I questioned before shaking my head.No.

I told myself I wasn’t going to give Ahmad any more time, energy, or attention, and I meant it. I needed to pour all of that into men who were available for me. But I could feel him lingering in the outskirts of my subconscious, so I buried myself in my work. When it was time for lunch, I ordered a pepperoni slice anda salad from my favorite pizzeria, and I ate at my desk. Spending my downtime on TenderFish, swiping on men I had no interest in getting to know.

Just before my lunch break was ending, I got another notification from the dating app. I almost didn’t check it, because I didn’t care about any of the men in my messages. But then I saw who it was.

“Let’s see what’s up with Ty,” I said under my breath as I replied to his message.

By the time I was on my way home from work, I’d talked to Tyrone more that day than I had all week. I was so distracted by Lennox that I’d ignored him, and after a riveting conversation, I kind of wished I’d given him more of a chance sooner.

We’ll see if he can keep this energy on our date tomorrow,I thought as I entered my apartment.

We ended up having a conversation after dinner, and he was charming enough to keep me focused on him and him alone. When we said goodbye, I swiped through his pictures. “You just might be my date to my birthday party,” I muttered under my breath.

And I kept repeating that thought anytime my mind strayed.

“Hello?” I answered my phone an hour later.

“Do we all have to have a date for Saturday, or just you?” Jazmyn asked as soon as I picked up.

“Well, hello to you, too,” I snickered. “Yes. But your date doesn’t have to be adatedate. It can be anyone you want to bring.”

She cleared her throat. “Okay.”

I eased myself into my oversize chair. “Is there someone you have in mind?”

“Is there someoneyouhave in mind?” she countered, changing the subject. “Your party is in forty-eight hours, and last I heard, you were into Lennox. Is he still the one?”

I made a face. “Lennox is no longer a contender.”

“What? Since when?” she reacted.

“Officially, last night.”

I gave her a quick rundown of what happened over the past week, and she became quiet.

“He went out of town, and he’ll be back on my birthday. But I’m going to let him know it’s not going to work between us the next time we speak,” I continued.

“Interesting…”

I slung my legs over the arm of the chair. “What?”

“So, you really liked Lennox, and then you blew him off to check on Ahmad?”

“I would’ve done the same thing for you or Nina if I heard you were in the hospital,” I argued.

“Whaaaaaaaat? He’s on the same level as me and Nina?”

“You know what I mean,” I groaned. “I’m there for my friends, so of course I wanted to make sure he was okay. And I rescheduled with Lennox, so it was fine.”

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