Page 30 of How He Got the Girl
Ted opens the rear passenger door for me, and I offer him as much of a smile as I can muster. Before I know it, we’re off, and my stomach is in knots.
I repeat my friend’s words like a mantra.
I am Veronica Mallory Porter, and I don’t need a man.
Griffin’s flattery may have sucked me in before, but I know better now. I won’t let him charm me this time, only to throw me out like last year’s jeans.
I am a crisp new pair of denim.
I am valuable.
I am Veronica Mallory Porter, and I don’t need a man.
Ihaveanhourwith Mallory. One hour until I need to be at Granny’s first follow-up appointment. One hour to change Mallory’s mind about me.
Yesterday was an epic fail. I hope she’ll give me another chance if I keep showing up and being myself, but I know that I need to rebuild trust with her.
I’ve been staring out the front window for five minutes, waiting for Mallory to arrive. I don’t want to miss a single second with her. The falling snow takes me back to our hot chocolate date and our first kiss. I can almost feel the sensation of her lips on mine mixed with the feeling of snowflakes landing in my hair.
When a familiar black car with tinted windows finally pulls into the driveway, I rush out the front door.
Ted is getting out of the car, but I wave him off, mouthing, “I’ve got this.” He wears a knowing smile as he gets back into the driver’s seat.
I open the rear passenger door. Mallory looks stunning in her pink sweats. Her wavy hair is pulled up in a messy bun today with a few strands down framing her face. I smile as I extend a hand to her.
She doesn’t accept my offered hand, rising out of the car and stepping past me, all while looking entirely indifferent. I wish she’d show me…something. I’d even take anger over this. Any type of emotion seems better than indifference.
“What did one snowflake say to the other?” I try to lighten the mood as we walk inside.
She sighs. “I don’t know.”
“Let’s stick together.”
Mallory’s expression remains neutral as I let her into the house. “You need to up your joke game.”
I run a hand through my hair and lead her through the foyer into the living room. “Do you have a better one?”
She sits on the edge of the couch cushion, looking like she’s ready to dart out of here at any moment. “Now isn’t the time for jokes.”
I sober. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”
Her expression is pinched as she looks around the space. “I thought you’d rent a giant mansion.” Her words hold a bite, finally giving me some type of emotion. This isn’t the Mallory I met before, though I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised since I’m the reason she’s in this predicament.
“It’s been the perfect rental for me to stay in while Granny recovers.”
Now doesn’t seem like the right time to tell her that I don’t ownanyhouses. I do have an apartment in Los Angeles, but I’ve waited to buy a house because I’m holding out to buy my first one with my dream girl.
Except, it’s becoming more obvious by the minute that she wants absolutely nothing to do with me.
“Can we get to therealreason I’m here?”
“Yeah, sure.” I grab my laptop from the coffee table and open the video call app. Only I am visible on the screen, so I wave Mallory closer. “I promise I don’tbite.”
She rolls her eyes and sighs like sitting beside me is pure torture, but she concedes, scooting closer until she’s in the video frame.
“You ready?”
“As I’ll ever be,” she mutters.
