Total pages in book: 16
Estimated words: 14818 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 74(@200wpm)___ 59(@250wpm)___ 49(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 14818 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 74(@200wpm)___ 59(@250wpm)___ 49(@300wpm)
Me: On my way
I chuck my phone on the bed and towel-dry my hair, wondering what I should wear for my first dinner with Mindy after the weird, accidental confrontation the other night.
It’s at this posh restaurant, so I’m pretty sure my regular outfit won’t do. With my towel still wrapped around my hair, I run my fingers along the six dresses I own, finally settling on a little black number with a stylish asymmetrical design.
One side has a long sleeve while the other is sleeveless. The dress falls mid-thigh and has a small slit on the left.
I like that it’s stretchable, just in case I enjoy myself a little too much and eat everything on the menu.
Before sliding on my black stiletto heels, I blow-dry my hair and leave it as is. For the makeup, I can only do one style and that’s the barely-there look. It’s not just the safest but also the one that really suits me.
I can never pull off the dark, smoky eyes. Somehow, I always end up looking like a sophisticated raccoon, but a raccoon nonetheless.
After swiping a lovely shade of bold red on my lips, I grab a small purse and throw in my essentials—phone, wallet, and keys. I send a quick text to Mika that I’m leaving. He knows where I’m headed, but he’s still working at the hospital. Although to be honest, I think he’s really just giving us a chance to settle everything.
Mindy and I talked a couple of times on the phone, but we tiptoed around the subject. It’s weird for me, so it must be so much weirder for her. She sends me to her nephew as a roommate, confident we won’t touch each other with a ten-foot pole. Now, she finds out we’re banging.
Okay, in a relationship. Same difference.
When I get there, I stand outside the restaurant, smoothing my dress and basically doing whatever to delay the inevitable. The moment I step inside, there’s no turning back. Whether we like it or not, Mindy and I need to talk about Mika.
Taking a deep breath, I walk to the polished glass doors that slide open to reveal an establishment that looks like it’s above my pay grade—marble floor, soft, plush ivory seating, metallic gold lampshades, and people who look like we don’t belong in the same tax bracket.
Before I can ask the hostess, I notice someone raise a hand and wave to me. Recognizing Mindy immediately, I give the hostess a soft smile and point to Mindy’s table.
I make my way to her, my heels clicking softly against the floor, my heart thudding in my chest.
Mindy has a glass of sparkling water in one hand, which she sips slowly.
I settle across from her, and here’s another dead giveaway as to just what kind of restaurant this is—they have a stool for my purse. When I grab the menu, with gold embossing, of course, I don’t see any price. Guess I’m going to live on ramen and canned meat starting tomorrow.
“Gosh, you look gorgeous.” Mindy smiles, with no trace of discomfort or any resentment toward me.
“Thank you. Am I supposed to say it back? I’m afraid I’m not much of a liar.”
She almost chokes on the sparkling water. “Oh, fuck off. I look good, and we both know it.”
“Yeah, we do.” I smile and let my gaze linger on her old rose satin dress that looks elegant in the front but probably exposes her entire back.
“I’m leaving tomorrow.”
“Yeah, so I guess we should talk, huh?”
Mindy waves me off. “No, Max. We don’t have to. You like my nephew, he likes you. I’m just an outsider. It’s none of my business.”
“You trusted me to—”
“To what? Look after him?” She chuckles and shakes her head in disbelief. “You needed a place to stay, he had one. Match made in heaven. I just didn’t know exactly how much of a match you two are.”
Happiness blooms in my chest. I’ve always loved Mindy. There’s a reason why she’s on my speed dial. “Thank you. You have no idea how much I appreciate your support.”
“Are you happy, Max?”
I can’t stop my mouth from curving into a smile. “I am.”
“You deserve it. Mika deserves you too. He’s a good guy. I mean, I kicked his ass when he was a teen, but I like to think the lessons landed.”
My smile broadens, and I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. “He’s awesome. Just an amazing guy.”
“Yeah, okay. We can stop now. I don’t need to hear you gush about him. It’s gonna make me lose my appetite. Let’s just order. I’m starving.”
“Then, why did you bring me here? We could’ve gone to a burger joint.”
Mindy lifts one shoulder and is suddenly too preoccupied with the menu as if she finds everything fascinating. “Okay, I’m having a lobster.”