Page 90 of Head Over Feels
Ireplied in the affirmative.IfMalcolmhad something else going on,I’dgo by myself.Iwas past ready to get this meeting over with and move on with my life.
Trentwas still claiming his innocence.Hewas stuck in jail since he couldn’t come up with bail, and the trial wasn’t for almost another two months.Fosterhad saidMalcolmandIwould both be called as witnesses.
Thetests on the flowersTrenthad given me had come back negative for any incriminating evidence.So, yay that he hadn’t tried to kill me a second time?
Sighing,Iopened my text thread withMalcolmand let him know about drinks onThursday.Hecalled me back almost immediately.
“Hey,”Isaid.
“Hey, um.”Hepaused.Uhoh.
“What’swrong?”
“Ihave to go toDallastonight.”
Mystomach sank.Well, crap.
“Well, crap,”Irepeated, this time out loud.
“Yeah, sorry.Brianwas contacted by a prospective client today and they want to meetASAP.They’rea huge company, and our current client inDallasreferred us, soBrianwants to get there fast.We’llbe back tomorrow afternoon.”
“Oh, okay.”Besupportive,Felix.“I’llgiveMariposaher insulin, so you don’t have to worry about it.And, um,Imade cupcakes, so you can take some with you when you stop here to pack.”
“Right.Well, this has happened before, soIkeep a suit and a bag at the office now.”
MeaningIwasn’t going to see him tonight. “Oh.”
“Yeah.I’msorryIwon’t get to say goodbye in person.”Iheard someone’s voice talking toMalcolm.ProbablyBrian. “Hey,I’vegot to go.I’lltext you whenIget to the hotel, andI’llsee you tomorrow, okay?”
“Okay.”
“I, um.”Hehesitated. “Bye.”
“Bye.”
Well, crap.
Assoon as we hung up the music blared from my phone again.Ishut it off.
Thenthe oven timer dinged, andImechanically took the cupcakes out.Ihad enough batter for another batch, but what wouldIdo with them?Iwasnotgoing to game night withMalcolm’sfriends whenMalcolmwasn’t with me.Notfor a couple of yearsat least.
Icovered the remaining batter and shoved it into the fridge along with the cooked-down strawberry pureeIwas going to use for the frosting.GrimlyIcontemplated the twenty-four cupcakes still in their pans on the counter.Ihad no motivation to frost them.
Screwit, there was room in the fridge.I’ddecide what to do with them later.
Itook my phone into the living room and plopped down on the couch.WhywasIso pissy?Icould survive twenty-four hours withoutMalcolm.Maybeit was just the suddenness of his trip, the last-minute change in plans.
Mariposahopped up beside me, soIscratched her ears. “It’sokay, girl.We’readults.Wecan handle one night withoutMalcolm, right?”
Mariposapurred and butted my hand with her head.
“Hmm.Icould see ifCalandStevewant to go out.”Itapped my phone to my lips. “Orthey could come over here.Ibet they’d eat some cupcakes.”
Iwas still debating whenMalcolmtexted me.
Malcolm
Iforgot to ask earlier, how did your appointments go?Also,Gregis going to pick you up in 30 minutes to go to game night
