Page 33 of Call Out
No regrets. No dating. No Danny.
I. AM. OVER. HIM.
Ugh! Who am I kidding? I miss him.
“Viv.”
The rambling pep talk goes vamoose. My gaze cuts from my ancient Volvo and lands on the big oak tree, and then the man rounding its thick trunk. Danny holds a posy of dainty pink tulips with a sheepish grin twitching his mouth. He’s wearing a suit—a suit—a damn suit.
My jaw aches from trying hard to stop it from hitting the grass. He’s debonair and businessman smart, packaged in a pair of charcoal tailored trousers and matching blazer. The once rugged biker has had a Hollywood makeover, leaving a breathtaking god with a clean-shaven face.
His head cocks to inspect my stupor. It’s only then I realize I haven't exhaled. Air streams past my lips as I sway.
“You’re back.” I state the obvious, palming my belly because all that inner power talk has filtered into the earth beneath my heels.
“I’m so sorry to hear about Wini. I know you were—”
My hand flies up. “Nope, not going there.” I cut him off before he reminds me of another lost relationship.
Danny covers the grass in three effortless strides. He wraps my torso with big, muscular arms. The gesture smashes my defenses, taking me completely by surprise. It’s not just any old hug either. Biceps squish me into his jacket. The cologne lacing its fibers has a magical effect on me, welcoming forgiveness and making insides turn mushy. Danny is my anchor in the chaos of grief. My head goes woozy, and my knees weaken.
When he lets go, I know I’ll slide down his rock-hard body in a spineless slug type move. Because that’s what I am. A gutless Danny hater, who’s pretend hate evaporated the second he said my name.
“When did you get back?” I mumble into him, loving finely woven wool against my cheek.
“Last night.” The cuddle wanes. His comfort expires. Flowers appear in the middle of the gaping hole now separating us.
“Is your mom okay?” Our eyes meet and silly flutters jam in my throat, forcing me to look away.
“Yeah. Yeah. All good.” The posy wiggles. “These are yours. I ordered them from Daisy’s Flowers.”
“Thanks.” I fiddle with the ivory ribbon cinching thin stems. “Look, Danny, I think we should talk. How about we go back to my place? I’ll let you drive the Vulva.” I smirk and then roll my eyes at my dumb attempt to crack an inappropriate joke. Note to self, in the silence that follows; lady part jokes are not funny.
An odd gaze settles on my car, and then his chin dips. He’s not laughing or smiling. A visible crease lines his brow, and a serious glint haunts his eyes before he speaks. “You’re right, Viv, we need to talk. But with all this—” He nods behind me to the dwindling mourners. “It’s not the right time.”
“Oooookay.” I hang onto the word. “I was joking about the whole vulva thing. We shouldn’t have sex until we smooth out the bump on relationship road.” Am I really using buzz words with him? “When did you get back?”
“Late last night. I swung by your house, but the lights were off.”
“You did?”
He nods thoughtfully. “Viv, I only found out about Wini this morning. Otherwise, I would have sent you flowers.” He smiles tightly. “I would have knocked on the door.” My fingers twitch to touch him, so I rub my arm instead. We’re at a standoff. I’m hurting and he seems lost. He scrubs the back of his neck. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” I lie, blowing out a few puffs of air to stay in control. “If there’s something you need to say, go ahead and say it now. I’m already upset, so any more bad news will go hand in hand with the gloom.”
Danny steps into me and brushes his fingertips through the messy strands framing my face. “We’ll talk when you’ve had time to process Wini’s passing. Okay?” A ghost of a smile tugs at his lips.
If now isn’t the right time to chat, then bad things are coming. I’m unofficially getting dumped on the same day I buried Wini. Not only is this the worst day ever, but I was also having dirty thoughts about Danny when the earth has barely swallowed my friend. Shame on me.
“Maybe we could grab a bite to eat together? No pressure. Just two people hanging out with some words and zero—” I shimmy my hips and indicate to my lady business. “I’ll drive.”
His gaze flicks to my Volvo and back to my face. “I’m needed at dispatch. I owe the guys for taking off at the last minute. I realize today hasn’t been easy for you.”
I shrug. “It’s totally fine, Danny. I need some space to deal with everything in private. I’m better off on my own, anyway.”Becool, Viv. Delay the dumping until you’re strong enough to deal with it.
“Well, you know where I am whenever you’re ready.”
“Sure.” I sniff the petals shaking in my tight grip and walk away. “See you around, Danny.”
