Page 55 of Book Boyfriend
“Nothing?”
“Did I upset you?”
I curl my lip slightly and shake my head. “No, you were perfect.”
“Then why do you look so sad?”
“I, uh . . . I’ve never had a date for them. Usually, I just stand around and watch the couples dance. Sometimes I hang out with Luna and her man du jour. But mostly, I feel really alone.”
“Didn’t your ex go with you?”
“No. He said it was boring. He always had an excuse for why he couldn’t make it.”
“Well, you’re my girl now and I’ll be damned if you don’t have someone to dance with all night long.”
I stare at the blanket as I allow his words to sink in.
He slides on his shoes and puts his wallet in his pocket. He checks his phone briefly and puts that in his pocket as well. “I have to go. Take your time. Stay as long as you want. I’ll call or text tonight. Let me know when you get to work so I know you’re safe.”
I nod.
He kisses the top of my head and then walks out the door.
I sigh as I gaze around his room. I slip out of the bed and walk over to the bathroom sink. I lift his cologne and smell it. My knees go weak. I spray it on the T-shirt I’m wearing and decide I’m taking the shirt home with me.
As I grab my clothes off the chair, I see my book on the dresser. Sure enough, there are Post-it tabs sticking out the edges. I open my purse for a pen and flip the paper to the title page where I write, “Fisher, reality is better than fiction when I’m with you. Xoxo, Macy Greer.”
A part of me wants to go through all of his things, but I decide against it. I won’t bethatgirl. Instead I freshen up, put on my bra and skirt, and head home to shower. Before I leave I reach into my purse and pull out a small bottle of my perfume. I spray it on his pillow so he thinks of me. There are some things we women have to do. That was one of them.
I straighten out my dress and stare at myself in the mirror and smile. I decided to wear the gown Fisher sent to me at the gala tonight and it’s beautiful. The black sequins sparkle in the light. It’s off the shoulder and makes my breasts look full and plump. The man has excellent taste. I shouldn’t be surprised.
I’m just about to slip on my shoes when my phone rings. Could he be early for once? I shuffle to the phone. I don’t recognize the number, but I answer anyway.
“Hello?”
“It’s me. I had to borrow a phone to call you.”
“I was just thinking about you.”
“I’m so sorry, but I’m going to be late. We’ve done five takes of this scene and the director wasn’t happy with the lighting, so we’re doing another in fifteen minutes.”
“Oh. Okay. No problem.” My heart drops into my stomach.
“I’m going to be there. I promise. Don’t think I’m standing you up, because I’m not.”
I nod and take a deep breath to hold it together. “I understand. You have to work. It comes first.”
I hear someone call his name in the background. “Okay, on my way. I have to go. I’m sorry I can’t be there to pick you up. Text me the address and I’ll be there as soon as I can. You save all those dances for me.”
“Be careful. Good luck.”
He ends the call without saying goodbye. I’m sure he was in a rush, but I can’t help but wonder if he’ll make it at all. I slip on my shoes, grab my handbag and keys, and walk out the door. Once I’m in the car, I text him the address. I have a pep talk with myself all the way there. I arrive at a quarter to seven and silently berate myself for always being early. I should know better. I don’t want to be the first one. Ugh.
By six fifty-nine I can’t stand waiting another second.
“Ms. Greer. Thank you so much for joining us. We’re honored to have you as our guest tonight. Thank you again for the generous donation. We placed you and your guest at table five just across the dance floor.”
She glances behind me. “You did say you had a guest?”
