Page 62 of Fly Back to Me
“Urgh,” I grunt, planting my cheek on the wood of the table. “I seriously don’t know how authors do this. I’ve been staring at my computer screen for an hour, and all I have to show for it are character names and a list of random ass scenes I want to include.”
Lauren stands across from me, her lower back against the kitchen counter as she cradles her coffee mug in both hands. “You literally just started thinking about your first story. Rome wasn’t built in a day.”
I blow out a breath, fanning the strands of hair laying over my eye. “Authors. Completely underrated.”
“Look at it this way: You have your full-time job with great pay and benefits, so this is just a passion now. You’re your own boss. Why place this ridiculous pressure on yourself?”
My head pops up before I close the lid of my laptop. “I hate it when you’re right. Stop doing that. It’s just obnoxious now,” Iorder flatly.
She smirks against the rim of her ceramic cup, shifting her weight on one hip in her ribbed sweatpants. “You make it so easy though.”
“Uh huh.” I cross my legs Indian-style, picking up my breakfast before slumping back into the chair. One palm snuggles the bowl while I shovel a spoonful of Cinnamon Toast Crunch through my lips. “Hey, is tonight going to be a repeat of last Saturday when you ditched me for your coworkers?”
She stabs a finger in my direction, her messy bun shimmying on the top of her head. “We’renotgoing to his brewery.”
My face twists with offense.
“I knowexactlywhat you were thinking.” Now she’s trudging in her slippers over to the table. “And all I have to say is one word—girlfriend.”
My gaze drops, and I release my spoon to absently play with the hem of my biker shorts. “According to my investigation over the last week, and neurotic examinations, I think they may be on the rocks.”
I flick the spandex against my skin just as Lauren’s warning cuts through the thick air. “Liv.”
I release a frustrated sigh and toss my head back. “Is it so terrible that I want to be around him?”
“You want to be under him,” she counters.
I purse my lips to the side, staring into the ivory ceiling. “I’d settle to be on top.”
“Liv!”
My eyes roll as I lift my head back up. “You’re no fun,” I groan, scooping another bite of cereal. “I’ll leave tonight’s extravaganza up to you. You have my word.”
“A casual bar with live music it is.”
When Lauren disappears into the short hallway toward herbedroom, I’m left staring at the dark walnut cabinets. I slip another spoonful through my lips, the cinnamon flavor blasting around my tongue as my body sinks with displeasure.
Cade hasn’t reached out since our last encounter at The Grind, and the restraint on my impulses are beginning to wear thin. It’s the reason I have my phone stuffed in my nightstand while I eat breakfast to live in the real world.
Well, at least I’m attempting to.
Every time my phone screen shines at me, the urge to tap on his contact is insufferable. I’m respecting him and her, but I consider Cade’s response to my question. And the more the stars align for Cade and me, the more their blinding lights shine on the twisted truth.
I eventually have to tell Cade who I am, but now, I’m sucked in too deep for his reaction to be all peachy. I’m pretty positive he won’t appreciate the omission of information, especially given the way I’ve crow-barred my way into his life.
With a very meticulous plan.
God, I’m an awful human being.
My face contorts at the thought, swallowing the last of my breakfast before rising to my feet.
If and when our relationship reaches a more profound level, I’ll know when the time is right. For now, I guess I’ll just have to see where the stars take us.
The live guitarist strums the chords of the opening of “All Along the Watchtower,” and my body swivels in the stool at the bar. I raise my Moscow Mule to clink to Lauren’s Long Island Iced Tea, drawing a sip right after.
A blend of vodka and ginger sinks down my throat, thestrike of liquid courage being exactly what I need. “You want to dance?” I ask Lauren.
I love fucking with her.
