Page 26 of Rebound

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The second text is from Lavinia.

Lavinia

Tell me it’s not weird to eat a pint of ice cream for lunch.

The message was sent an hour ago.

Roman

Are you looking for validation for something you already did or making lunch plans for tomorrow?

Her reply comes right away.

Lavinia

Neither, just curious. What are you up to?

Roman

Nothing right now. What about you?

Lavinia

I’m on a date.

I blink down at the words on my phone. How the fuck did this keep happening? Every time I think this woman is single, some asshole comes and takes his shot while I am still waiting to take mine.

Roman

Is it going well?

Lavinia: Well enough. The food is great.

Roman

Which restaurant?

Lavinia

Daphne’s

Roman

If you’re texting me, the date can’t be going that well.

Lavinia

He’s in the restroom. Oh, he’s coming back. Gotta go.

Fuck, fuck, fuck. My phone goes dark, and I throw it onto the passenger seat. All I can picture is some other man leading Lavinia up to her apartment, telling her good night, kissing her like she belongs to him. I need to fucking fix this and now.

EIGHT

LAVINIA

The date was Aunt Constance’s idea. My great-aunt has been married five times and the one thing she’s always believed is that you can’t spend time weeping over a man. If one’s gone, another will come. They’re not worth the tears and puffy eyes.

Benjamin is her dentist, he’s thirty-five, very handsome, never married, but has come close. As I listen to Benjamin talk about his profession, I have a clear understanding why someone might consider me boring. It’s not that the only thing I talk about is hockey, it’s the subject I know most about because it’s been such a big focus of my life.

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