Page 23 of Beauty Beneath the Sorrow
My phone buzzes. Sliding it out from my pocket, a smirk crawls across my face.Lina.
Lina: Okay, partner. When do we start?
Me:Whenever you want, baby.
Lina: We’ve only just become friends, and you’re already calling mebaby?
I love her sarcasm.
Me: You don’t like it?
Lina: I didn’t say I didn’t like it. It was a bit presumptuous of you.
Me: You like it.
The three dots bounce at the bottom of the screen before disappearing. She’s formulating a response. I love calling out her feisty little attitude.
Christian and I find the table by the window and sit down. It isn’t until we’re paying the check that another message from Lina comes through.
Lina: I’m ready now.
Is she messing with me? Because if not, I’ll get my happy ass over to her place as fast as I can.
Me: Seriously?
Lina: I got out of Pilates and feeling a bit energetic.
Me: Energetic, you say?
Lina: For a run.
Me: Just finishing up with breakfast. Do you want me to head to your place?
Lina: Sure. I’ll send you the directions.
Me: Perfect. Be there soon.
“Dude. Carter. Can we talk about your face right now?” Christian says as we head back to the parking lot.
“What?”
“That’s your running partner, isn’t it?”
“Yes.”
His lips pursed together. “You’re playing with fire.”
“It’s nothing. I’m just excited about participating in this charity event.” I hold back to benefit Christian and to convince myself.
“You’re a fucking liar,” he snaps as we both approach our cars.
“For real.”
He gives me a quick nod of his head. “You’re going to see her right now, aren’t you?”
“We have to train together. I can’t avoid her.” I try to rebut, but he’s aware of every filthy thought racing through my head because it goes on in his too.
“The jealousy that’s raging in me right now is pathetic,” he comments, biting his fist.
