Page 77 of Hate You Later
“Zppp!” I make the zip motion, holding a finger over my lips.
“Why are you showing this to me if I’m not allowed to have an opinion? And whose phone is this? Is it a ProMax 13?”
“Just watch,” I say. “There will be time to discuss later. I just need you to hold your comments to the end.”
“Fine. Has anyone told you you’re a control freak?”
I nod.
“Go ahead and hit play,” she says.
My emotions are all over the map. Every time I watch this, I seem to feel a different way.
Reaction #1:What the hell? How long did he know this before telling me? Was he gaslighting me all along? What’s his endgame?
Reaction #2:Oliver is adorable. This video is the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen. Did he really make it just for me?
Reaction #3:Why is he so hot? How bad would it actually be if I slept with him … like just a little?
Reaction #4:Fucking Holms. Business is business. Best to keep it that way.
I study Kenna’s face as she watches the video. She seems to be leaning toward Reaction #2, especially when she bursts out with a grinning “OH MY GOD,” laughing incredulously and looking from me, to the video, to me again. She claps a hand over her mouth when I remind her to remain silent and refrain from reaction.
“So, you want to watch it again?” I ask at the end.
“No. I mean yes, but why? Did I miss anything?”
“I don’t know. It’s just that I’ve watched this a hundred times, and I still can’t make up my mind how to feel.”
“I don’t think that’s how feelings usually work, G. There’s no ‘deciding.’ Usually, you just feel how you feel.” Kenna studies my face now. “So, how do you feel?”
“I feel a lot of different ways.”
“Starting with?”
“Surprised.”
“I’ll bet!” She shakes her head and laughs again. “Who knew Ragnar was a cat guy?” Then she slaps her forehead. “Oh dammit!”
“What is it?” I ask.
“You’re really not letting me read those texts with Oliver now, are you?” Kenna laments.
“Not a chance.”
“This is terrible.” Kenna sighs. “I was going to submit them toLit Loversfor discussion.”
“You wish,” I say.
“So, what now? What are you going to do?” Kenna asks. “Seems like the ball is in your court.”
“I don’t know!” I bury my face in my hands. Cookie nudges me from the side and I pat her, reassuring both of us.
“Let’s start with the phone. I’m assuming the phone is from him? How did it happen?”
“It was in that box that was dropped off yesterday. The one that I thought was samples. He came in right after you left and demanded I open it already. Apparently, he was waiting all day for me to open it.”
“That’s actually quite romantic.” Kenna looks impressed.
