Page 41 of Stuck-Up Big Shot
My best advice is to cut your losses now. If it was meant to be, he’ll come to that conclusion on his own. Until then, don’t be the forgotten fool, but be remembered for respecting yourself and forgetting about him, the real fool in this situation.
Sincerely,
Ida
The letter cuts deep from the blunt truth in her advice. I know I should heed her advice and just let Miles go. Letting him be so I can avoid the feeling of my heart ripping in two, like a massive crack across the Earth’s surface.
When I asked Miles to leave last night—okay, kicked him out is more like it—after what was by far the hottest make out session I’ve ever had, I wondered if I ought to check myself into a mental facility. Because that was all kinds of crazy what I did.
Sadly, the irony is that I was so ready to fall into bed with him.
I’ve wanted Miles for as long as I can remember, and I’d take him any way I could get him. And I’m not even remotely interested in a boyfriend or starting up a relationship. With one of the hardest parts of my educational endeavor coming up this fall, all I really want is something fun and someone to share the summer with.
And I want Miles.
But he ruined it by making assumptions about me and what he thinks I should want or need. If there’s one thing I know about men, it’s that if they believe there’s a problem to be solved, they dive in to fix it. Apparently, Miles thought I had a problem with just sex.
I finish my coffee and type out a text to Lucy.
Me: Guess what came in my email this morning?
She replies almost instantly.
Lucy: IDK. A discount for a lifetime supply of the little blue pill? Because that’s what J gets every day.
I snort loudly, startling Blackie, who lies at my feet, a little ball of white fur curled up under the kitchen table.
As far as summer jobs go, except for the hassle of tracking down Blackie the night of the fire alarm and having to deal with Miles, this has been a pretty great experience. I’m sadly counting down the days when Graham and Soraya return from their trip. It doesn’t hurt their apartment is amazing and offers the best amenities of any apartment I’ve ever been in.
Which reminds me I need to look for another place for the fall, so I don’t have to crash with Ben any longer than necessary.
Me: Mmm, not that. But something very titillating for sure. A response from Ask Ida.
Lucy: Ooh. . . tell me everything!
Me: I’ll read it to you today during my shift.
I can see her stewing over this, even though we’re miles apart.
Lucy: You’re a brat for making me wait. But actually, I wanted to remind you that we’re taking A in for his appointment today. Please pray for good news.
That’s right. Lucy mentioned last week they were taking her son in for an appointment with a physician at the children’s hospital. They’re going to run tests to see if they can identify the cause of his stomach problems.
Me: Of course. Do you need me to come in early? I’m not doing anything until my shift. Just apartment hunting.
Lucy: No, no. Camilla will open. No rush.
Me: Okay. Well, lots of prayers, and I’ll fill you in on the Ask Ida email later after you tell me how the appointment went. Love ya.
Lucy: Gracias. Talk to you soon,mi amiga.
I set the phone down on the table and sigh. Lucy has been such a phenomenal boss to me, and subsequently, a good friend. Everything about the way she handles and balances her business, her staff, and her family amazes me. But I know she’s worried about her son, Antonio, and I want to be there for her if I can.
I stand and pick up my breakfast dishes, heading toward the kitchen when my phone buzzes again with a text. Assuming it’s Lucy once again, I set the dishes down and pick up the phone.
But it’s an unknown number.
Unknown: Care for a swim?
