Page 69 of Building Romance
Missed call from Drew.
Drew: Uh, what the fuck is up? I’m at work. Guess it’s a lime in the coconut night.
Fletcher: Hollywood, please call me.
Fletcher: Cam, please call me.
Another missed call from Fletcher.
Fletcher: Damn it, Cam. I have a meeting I can’t miss. I’ll meet you after you close.
I sigh and shove my phone back in my pocket as I walk up to my apartment. I sling my overnight bag over my shoulder and contemplate what to do next.
I don’t even get my key in the lock before Drew has the door open. He’s holding a margarita with a lime wedge and salt on the rim.
“I think you need this,” he states as he takes my bag from me. I walk inside and am greeted by Carly, Piper, Roxy, Margie, Jessa, Jocelyn, and Cornelia.
I’m so tired that instead of being happy to see all my friends, I just burst into tears.
“Oh shit, I told you this was a bad idea,” Cornelia says as Carly pulls me into a hug.
“N-no,” I stammer as I sob. “I’m j-just tired and…why’d h-he have to be so g-great.”
Carly pats my back. I pull away and wipe my eyes. I hate crying and I really hate crying in front of people.
“Sit down. It’s therapy cocktail hour. Lay it on us, kid,” Margie insists as she pats the sofa next to her.
I sit down and sip my margarita, letting myself take a few deep breaths. I suppose if I can’t tell these ladies, and Drew, about what’s happening, then who can I tell?
“Kasen found texts between Fletch and his brothers. Fletch told them he would join me at the competition, so he could spy on me and get dirt that would help them take customers from me,” I explain.
“Did Kasen get any dirt on their branding plans?” Drew asks, inquiring about my original ask of Kasen.
I shake my head. “No. And you know what, I did sort of tell Fletcher that I was looking into his company, but he never once mentioned spying on me. If he had been upfront, then maybe I wouldn’t have cared so much, but this…it just felt like…I couldn’t trust him anymore.” I sigh. “I’ve worked so hard to get the café up and running how I want it. I really wanted to show Winston and my parents how far I’ve come and that I can do this. Then, I was going to focus on dating once I had the business set. But like an idiot, I jump in bed with the first guy I’ve connected with in over a year.” I groan at my stupidity.
Margie pats my shoulder. “Well, at least you figured it out now and not on your wedding night, dear.”
I glance over at her. “Uh, sure.”
“I found out my husband had been the town whore on our wedding night. That was eye-opening,” she says with a sigh.
“Oh, don’t listen to Margie. She was a big prude back then. Maybe Fletcher was going to tell you. Men are slow sometimes. You could give him a chance to explain himself,” Cornelia suggests.
I shake my head and drink more margarita. “I need some time to think about all of this.”
Jocelyn peers out the window. “Uh, I think your time is up. Fletcher just got out of a car and is walking up to the café.”
Shit. “Can we move this party to someone else’s place?” I ask. The last thing I need is to create a big scene in front of them all when Fletcher inevitably shows up at my door.
“Come on,” Margie says, standing and holding out her hand for me. I take it and we all walk to her and Cornelia’s apartment.
Drew stays at the door and I look back at him. “I’ll talk to him. I’ll be up shortly,” he assures me.
“Thank you,” I say as I hug him. He hugs my back.
“I’d do anything for you, kid,” he whispers. I feel tears threaten again because I wish it was Fletcher saying those words. I’m so pissed off at him. I was beginning to trust him, really trust him. And then Kasen had to show me those text messages. I’ve had boyfriends cheat on me in the past, and somehow, this feels the same if not worse.
It hits me like a ton of bricks as I pull away. The reason I’m so upset over a relationship that is only a month old is that I have fallen for Fletcher. That’s why I’m so upset. Damn it! I can’t believe I gave my heart away so easily. Never again. I’m about to go on a man-hiatus. No more men. No more Fletcher.
