Page 86 of Just for Fun
She grins from ear to ear and gives me a thumbs up. I lean forward and give her a quick kiss, not wanting to interrupt her conversation.
Once I find myself out in the parking lot of her apartment complex, I lean against my car and take a minute to think, not even sure about what. It’s weird how my life has changed somuch in almost three weeks. In fact, I felt the change the second I saw Zara’s picture on theHolidatesapp.
I stare around the parking lot, wondering if I should go home or go out for a bit. I don’t want to be alone, but I don’t want to go to work either.
Pulling my phone out, I debate on which one of my friends I should call. The core group is all paired up except for me and Alex. And I sure as hell don’t want to go hang out with him. He’s too damn depressing lately.
I get in the truck and start it. As I pull out of the parking lot, I decide to go home after all. If I work extra hours for the next three days, I will have more time with Zara this weekend.
The speakers in the truck suddenly go off with the cell phone ringing. It is so loud and obnoxious that I jump and almost end up off the road.
“What the hell you want?” I bark at Ray when I notice that it’s him calling.
He laughs like the asshole that he is. “That’s no way to greet your friends.”
“It is in your case, fucker,” I deadpan.
“Nice. I’m gonna tell my woman that you’re picking on me,” he says.
“What’s she gonna do? Beat my ass?”
“Well, she is pretty feisty,” Ray informs me with obvious pride in his voice.
I’m a little jealous that he found the one woman who is perfect for him. I want that, too, which blows my mind. Where is this coming from? Not to mention, I want it, but only if it’s with Zara. Her and I will need to have a serious conversation soon. We need to figure what we want, if we think we can commit to each other, or if we’re really going to part ways after the Fourth of July party.
My stomach is in knots at the thought of not seeing her anymore in less than a month. Then again, it’s not like I want her to marry me before then. I just want to know if we can try to see where this goes. What if she is my person, and I miss out on an amazing opportunity? Then I’ll have to turn into Alex and walk around acting like an asshole toward everyone.
“How’s your girl doing?” Ray asks, breaking my crazy train of thought.
“She’s really good. I’m just leaving her house. She has to work on a project for an important client,” I brag. “She’s so smart.”
“I could see that,” Ray agrees.
“See what?”
Ray takes his time answering. “I’m just saying that she looks smart. Definitely not your type.”
“What the hell does that mean?” I am offended even knowing that he’s right.
“I’m just saying that I didn’t know you liked them smart… Ow, Hayden, what the fuck!”
There’s a lot of shuffling on the other end. At some point, it sounds like they might be wrestling, but it’s hard to tell. Hayden is telling Ray something in a stern voice, and I can only hear parts of it.
“Why would you say that to him, Ray?” Shuffling again. “She’s going to think I don’t like her…” More shuffling. “Of course I care. She will be a guest at ourwedding, Ray!”
“Hello?” I try to get their attention. “How about we talk later, after you hashed things out over there?”
They both stop talking at the same time, making for a very amusing pause on the line.
“Are you still there?” I ask when neither one of them addresses me. “I’m going to hang up…”
“No!” Hayden yells. “We’re here!”
“Okay…” I drag the word out as I let out a snort of laughter. “Why did you guys even call?”
Hayden takes over the conversation at this point. Apparently, Ray did not follow direction.
“I just wanted you to know that as far as first impressions go,” Hayden tells me. “Zara is delightful. I am pleased with your choice of a partner to our wedding.”
