Page 24 of Without Bound
I’d give anything to make this soda a bottle of tequila right now.
“Ope. Sorry. I didn’t mean to stand right in front of it,” Gabby says, genuinely. “Anais. Bishop was just telling me you want to become a writer.”
My head whips from Gabby to Bishop, wondering how he knew that as I’ve never told him.
“Uh, yeah. That’s the plan,” I tell her, wiping the soda off with a napkin before attempting to crack it open.
“How exciting. What genre are you interested in writing? Or is it more of a journalistic endeavor like Vivian?”
“I…I plan to…” my thoughts are interrupted as I struggle to open the bottle.
I twist and twist the cap, but no matter how hard I try I only end up with a sore palm.
The bottle is pulled from my hands and I see Bishop reaching for an opener and popping the cap, bending it in half with his strength.
“Pop top,” he says, handing it back to me.
I smile at him, the crack in my heart feeling just a little bit healed, and tell him, “Thanks. I thought I could muscle it open.”
He replies with a crooked grin and chills race up my spine. We stare at each other for another moment before the clearing of a throat breaks our hold.
“Sorry. I’m interested in writing suspense but with spice.”
Gabby wiggles her brows and coos, “Ooo. Spicy suspense. I like it. Well if you ever have any work you need feedback on, send it my way. I love romance books.”
I tip back the bottle and take a quick swig. “Cool. Thanks. I’ll be sure to pass along anything to CeCe.”
I turn my back to them, ready to return to my seat, when I hear them begin talking again.
“So I have tickets for this new country band for next Saturday night if you’re interested in joining me,” Gabby tells Bishop.
My feet stumble and I freeze in place.
“Well, I’m not a huge country fan, but it sounds fun so why not,” Bishop answers and I feel my heart drop to the pit of my stomach.
I start walking again, the feeling of heartbreak taking over, and plop down into my seat. My soda bottle dangles from my fingertips and if it were to fall right now, I couldn’t be bothered to stop it.
My stomach roils in pain thinking about the two of them together on a date, and subsequently about how that date would end. With a kiss? Something more? My temples start to throb and I suddenly feel like I’m going to be sick.
He’s supposed to be mine. Not Gabby’s. Or Melina’s. Or any other woman. Mine. All he needs is a little bit of time.
I push to my feet, a little wobbly, and spot Cami talking with Cat. I move through the small crowd and I feel woozy. Like I’ve had one too many shots.
“Hey Cami,” I pant out. “Can you tell Viv and my uncle that I left early? I’m not feeling so well.”
“Oh sweetheart. What’s the matter?” Cami, channeling all of her motherly instincts, reaches out and touches my face.
“I must have eaten something that isn’t agreeing with me. I’m going to get an Uber but I don’t want Uncle Nix or Viv worrying about me. I’ll text them but he’ll probably talk to you all first.”
“The hell you are,” Cat adds. “Your uncle would skin us all alive if we let you go home by yourself, in a strangers car, only to be dropped off at the edge of campus by yourself. Not happening, chica.”
“I don’t want to bother Bishop. I don’t think he’s ready to leave,” I tell them.
“I’ll take you. I’m tired anyhow from a long day. I could use an extra hour or so of sleep. C’mon. Let’s say goodbye.” Cat tugs on my hand, but Cami pulls on the other one.
“I’ll call you tomorrow and bring you some medicine and soup if you’re still not feeling well. I know Phoenix is on a plane early in the morning.” Cami pulls me into a hug, and I blink back tears that start to build. “Feel better, sweet girl.”
“Thanks,” I choke out. “I probably just need some sleep.” I kiss Cami’s cheek then turn to Dagen who tells me I should just spend that night at her house so that “mom can take care of both of us”.
