Page 23 of Wild Card
“Help with what exactly?”
“Playing matchmaker, and Tobias is not the one for that sort of thing, you know?”
“Oh, I know. He and I…” She points toward the general direction he might be in. “We’re the same.”
“Oh. Oh… Did you guys? Shit. That’s awkward.”
“Oh no. No fucking way. If Colton is anywhere near, I can’t even look at another man. It’s the reason I have to stay on another continent most of the time.”
“Colton and you?”
“Officially, yes. Still working on spreading the news. Happy to be your confidant, but I’ve definitely fallen victim to a matchmaking bestie. Maybe we can decipher the things I did wrong and help you in the process.”
I grin. “Sounds like a plan.”
“So…” She bumps her hip into mine. “You did the one-night thing and now what? You want more, and he said no?”
“No. I went in with my head completely clear. It was just a little… birthday experiment. Push my comfort zone. Try new things, you know? But now we have to be around each other, and I have to see the next hookup.” I gesture back toward the apartment and frown. “And it’s a bit awkward.”
“Ah. I can relate on the being around each other bit. Again, with Colt being around so much… was hard not to want to dive into bad habits.”
“Right, and we see where that got you.” I grin and she laughs. “Plus I need to return his keys, and I brought them tonight, but now I have to go up there with them and… Ugh. Awkward. You know?”
“Want me to do it for you?”
“No. I appreciate it. But I think I have to be a big girl. I’ll definitely look jealous and crazy if I send up a substitute.”
“Well, that’s true. But I would still do it for you.” She smiles at me. “I think I like it by the way. You and Tobias. Makes sense in a weird way. Especially with your hobbies.”
“What do you mean?”
“Oh, you don’t know yet? You’ll see.”
I want to ask her what she means, but instead, she changes the subject, and we spend the next hour chatting about her former life in the Alps and all the mountains she hiked during her summers there.
Eventually,I work up the courage to go upstairs. So I say goodnight to everyone and grab my coat, jumping on the elevator pretending like I’m heading to get in my car and instead going up to see Tobias. I rap lightly on the door, and I take a step back when it opens and it’s her again, smiling at me from the doorframe. She has a glass of rosé in her hand and looks like she belongs here. My stomach quivers a little bit, threatening to relaunch fresh nausea on me, but I hold tight.
“Is Tobias around?”
“He’s in the other room getting dressed.”
“Oh. Okay. Could you give him these? He’ll know what they’re for. Thanks!” I hand her the keys, and she looks at them perplexed for a moment, but she nods.
“Okay, sure. You sure you don’t want to wait?”
“No. I’ve got a ride to catch but thank you!” I grin brightly and then I hurry down the hall, slamming the down button and being incredibly grateful when the elevator comes almost immediately. I tuck inside it and press the close button. Watching as the doors shut and finally letting myself breathe.
This is fine. It’s good really. I’ve ripped the Band-Aid off. I fucked him. Then we called it good and did the friend thing. Now I’ve had a polite conversation with the latest girl. I’m adulting the fuck out of this whole situation. I should be proud of myself.
Except, I can’t help the tiny bloom of want I can still feel. I hadn’t believed we were actually just one and done, even though I should have known. It tracked with the Tobias I’ve known all along. The one who could flirt with anyone including my friends and who rarely took anything seriously. I was stupid for thinking it could be anything else but just him being friendly and trying to keep things normal between us. I just can’t help the little crushing feeling it has on my spirit.
The elevator dings, and I step out into the dark hall. This building is gorgeous, dark blue carpeting spills out in front of me, and I start walking toward the lobby area where a low-hanging chandelier illuminates a leather couch. I lied about the car, so I was going to be waiting for a few minutes before it got here. But just as I start to clear the threshold, I hear footsteps echo in the hallway and the crash bar to the stairs clicks, so I turn around.
It’s Tobias looking winded and pissed off.
“You” is all he manages to get out.
“Me?”
