Page 88 of Maid For Each Other

And worth exploring.

I couldn’t take her to the airport because I had a meeting I couldn’t reschedule, but it almost felt like she was relieved by that. She gave me a big friendly hug as she stood beside the car, and I didn’t like the way it felt.

“Thanks for coming, Mariano,” I said into her hair, wishing I could read her mind. “I had the best day with you, too.”

A tiny crinkle formed between her eyebrows as she nodded and said, “Same, Powell.”

And as she climbed inside the car and shut the door, I said, “Text me when you land.”

“I will.”

I didn’t like watching the car disappear out of sight, and I didn’t like the way I instantly felt emptier without her there.

As if watching from a window and knowing what was going on in my life, my phone rang. It was Roman. I answered, “Hey, what’s up?”

“I was just curious how this morning went,” he said.

When I’d told him Abi was coming, he said he was equal parts glad because he liked her and thought she was good for me, andnervous because he thought it was way too soon for us to be flying to see each other.

He was right on both counts.

And last night, when I couldn’t sleep so I spent a good hour going over potential investments with him on the phone, I let him believe that we were only interested in friendship. What was the point in talking through possibilities with anyone other than Abi?

If things changed between us, I’d let him know then.

For now, it was none of his business.

“Good,” I said, going back into the building and getting into the elevator. “She’s headed home, and I’m heading into the office. Things are back to normal.”

But as I stepped off the elevator and caught a whiff of something Abi-scented—her lotion, maybe—I hoped that wasn’t the case.

29

Doug Daydreams

Abi

My phone vibrated in my pocket.

Dex:Are we cool?

I looked down at his message and replied:I think so. Why wouldn’t we be cool?

I was pricing the new bags of apples, and his text would’ve normally been a welcome interruption, but what was he after here?

I was overthinking every damn thing with him and a little stressed out about the entire friendship-relationship dynamic.

He was quick to respond with:You know why. Are you OK with how NYC played out?

Was I okay with the amazing kiss? Yes. Was I okay with him making me cry over long-forgotten childhood trauma? Yes.

Was I okay with a tiny trip to New York upending my entire emotional framework?No.

I texted:Yes. NYC = very good

He texted:I hope you mean that because I’m about to completely freak you out by throwing out another proposition.

“What the hell?” I muttered to myself, then sent:What can this even be?

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