Page 36 of Pieces of Us
“Would you consider dating him?” Jax pushes his plate away.
“My mind can’t wrap around that idea. It’s Linc. I don’t see him like that.”
“Time for pros and cons.” Gigi finishes her orange juice.
“I’ll do it when I get home.”
Pros and cons lists are my way of working through any situation. I need to sit down with my thoughts and work through all of this new information.
The server brings our checks. We all hand over our cards.
“Sorry for all the post wedding drama.”
Audrey smiles. “Don’t be sorry. Just be gentle with him. He’s a good guy.”
Jax squeezes her hand on the table.
“I’m not a mean person, Audrey.” I sign my receipt and gather my purse. “I’m going to head up and get ready to go.”
“Text us later if you want to come over to watch the game.”
“Sure.”
I get up and walk to the elevators. What a horrible morning.
I return to my room and start packing. The discussion over breakfast has my mind all over the place. I start shoving everything into my suitcase haphazardly. How I needed so much stuff for two nights is unbelievable. I’m trying to zip my suitcase shut as I suddenly remember to take my pill.
“Shit.”
I usually take it at eight, and it’s almost eleven. I dig through my purse and open my pack. Double shit. With all of the wedding craziness and weird sleep times, I haven’t taken it since Wednesday. It’s Sunday. Suddenly, I’m thankful that Linc was adamant about using a condom.
Swallowing a pill, I throw the pack back in my purse. I text Gigi that I’m ready, and she tells me to meet in her room. I gather my things, and before I walk out the door, I look at the bed and hear all the things Linc said to me last night, replaying through my mind. I just thought he was being sweet, but he was trying to tell me how he felt. Why couldn’t he keep it simple between us?
Chapter Twenty-Two
Melonie
I peer down at my list. Doesn’t really help that I can’t come up with a tiebreaker. It still bothers me that he didn’t come right out and tell me about his crush, feelings, or whatever he was feeling before we slept together. That would have been good information for me to have. It could possibly break the tie.
I crumple up the paper and throw it across the counter. I’m exhausted. Thank goodness I took tomorrow off work to have a day to recoup from the wedding. I leave the kitchen and walk to my bathroom to start my night routine.
Once I’m lying in the darkness, I try to start imagining myself dating Linc. I know I would be happily satisfied with the sex, but would I ever feel secure with him? I want a man who is ready to settle down. I want to start a family in a couple years. I don’t have time to help someone figure out what they want. Nor do I have the need to get my heart broken in the process.
As much as I think Linccouldbe a good partner, I’m just not willing to be his guinea pig. I let out a sigh, roll over, and hug my body pillow. I know my decision is made.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Linc
Igrab my wallet and keys and head out the door. Jax and Audrey invited us all over for dinner. They just got back from their honeymoon, and it’s been a little over a month since they got married, so they figured a dinner party was in order.
I’ve only seen Melonie once since the wedding. We hung out with Gigi and Marcus to watch the season-opener for the Red Sox. It wasn’t awkward. I felt like after having some distance, I could be around her and not act like a child. And honestly, I’d settle for being friends with her than nothing at all. I think I would actually miss just being around her.
So, once again, we leave a night together in the past.
I step out of the elevator, ringing the doorbell. Jax opens the door and I give him a hug. I continue inside and find Audrey in the kitchen.
“Hey, Audrey.” I hug her.
