Page 68 of Savage Temptation
TESSA
Case closed.
I slip my laptop into my bag and pat myself on the back for a job well done.
“Why are you looking so smug?” Ashley sets a bowl of popcorn onto the coffee table, then falls back into the new beanbag chair she bought for me.
“I officially do not have to crack open my laptop until I’m fully moved into my new place.”
That’s right, new place. And no, it’s not more glamorous.
Despite the tornado that tore through my life, my work has been relatively stable, but my personal life has not. I get recognized. Like all the freaking time. I can’t even get a cup of coffee. But that wasn’t the only thing that turned upside down. Dating became impossible.
After my heartbreak, I decided not to waste any more time on Atticus Savage. It’s not that I still don’t carry a blazing torch for the asshole, but instead of feeding the flame, I feed reality. With Ashley’s help, I got on dating websites, and with Cindy’s, I have a whole new vibe. It’s not so much that I look different. I’m just splashing in brighter tones and adding a few contemporary pieces to my wardrobe.
But inevitably, every date I’d go on, the man would eventually realize who I was. Gossip ishotin the city, and I’ve been plasteredeverywhere.
And that’s when it struck me. I live in an exorbitantly priced apartment in New York City, but all of my work is remotely. Why not move to a smaller town upstate and start over? A place where no one expects me to be and I won’t be recognized.
“It’s just like you to suddenly finish your work after I’ve done all the heavy lifting,” Lance says with a glare.
“Oh, don’t grumble at me. Most of my shit is IKEA. It’s not backbreaking work.”
“Will you hurry and get your ass on a beanie?” Ashley complains.
I sold my couches, table, and bed because they weren’t worth moving, but Ashley was aghast at the thought of sitting on folding chairs, and that’s why I’m now the proud owner of six adult-sized beanie chairs and one queen-sized beanie bed.
Yeah, that’s a thing.
Cindy sits in a beanie, as does Lance. I grab a few drinks before settling in to watch the video compilation my friends put together.
Because we live in the age of cellphones everywhere, most of the important events of my life have been recorded, and because I’m leaving, the girls wanted a nostalgic night.
They promised not to include any footage of Atticus, but I told them not to bother culling the scenes as he was a major part of my life, and it would be silly to exclude his footage. Besides, I have to move on.
We start by watching footage of me ice skating with Ashley, Lance, and Atticus. Then there are videos from prom, college, and various other life events. Cindy squeals when she sees herself on screen, and I have to admit, it’s touching to relive some of the moments that made up the most important parts of my life.
And during the moments when Atticus is on screen, I don’t relive my heartbreak. Of course I still feel for him, I always will, but the sting isn’t so great.
Perhaps one day I’ll be able to face him again. I thought about asking him to lunch, but then he texted me and I realized some boundaries aren’t meant to be crossed, and as of right now, I can’t extend my relationship with him outside of watching him on screen.
“It’s time!” Lance says urgently.
The screen is paused as I’m setting up my graduation party.
I look at Ashley. “Why’d you hit stop?”
“Just give me a second…” Her voice trails as she hits a series of buttons, taking us from the DVD drive to cable television.
“I thought we were reliving old memories.”
“We are. Just hold on a sec.”
The logo for Chatter pops on the screen. They’re known more for celebrity gossip than anything, having several magazines out and a television station dedicated to their reporting.
I’ve recently become very familiar with this as they played my alien sex story on repeat for days.
“You know, I’m going to go to the bathroom while you sort this shit out—”
