AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“We’re closed until Monday. You didn’t know?”
I sigh again. “Wouldn’t be standing here if I did.”
“Ah, Carla, I’m sorry. I thought TJ told you.”
“And why are we closed?”
“TJ closes this time every year. He goes on vacation.”
“Vacation?” I can’t help the surprise in my voice.
“He never takes off save for these same three days each year.”
“Where does he go?”
A loud screeching sound, something like a cross between a pterodactyl and Godzilla, pierces my eardrum through the phone.
“Gotta go,” Roger says. “Fatherhood calls.”
I smile but it quickly fades. I snap a picture of the sign and send it to TJ in a text that says, Thanks for the heads up.
Today makes five days since the abruptly-stopped make-out session in TJ’s truck. During those five days, he avoided me with the skill of an experienced CIA agent. I’ve racked my brain to pinpoint what happened that day.
Was it me? Did I misread his signals? I distinctly remember him kissing me back. I jumped on top of him like a spider monkey in heat … maybe I was too aggressive?
Whatever his reason is for giving me the silent treatment this week, it’s not an excuse to treat me like I don’t exist.
Maybe I should look for another job.
“This is the last one.” I grunt as I plop the box onto the floor.
“Thanks so much for helping,” Charlotte says.
I bounce onto her bed. “That’s what friends are for.”
Mallory saunters through the doorway holding three glasses of wine. “No, this is what friends are for.” We each take one and she raises hers in the air. “Congrats on moving in with your hunk of a man. Now you get to have loud monkey sex whenever you want.”
Charlotte’s horrified expression coupled with Tanner’s laughter in the other room paints a satisfied smirk on Mallory’s face.
I wrap my arm around Charlotte. “My little girl is all grown up. Remember the days when we wanted to marry Jess and Dean?”
“I still want to marry Jess,” she says.
“I heard that!” Tanner yells.
“I love you, babe!”
Mallory raises an eyebrow at me. “Wouldn’t have pegged you for a Dean gal.”
“Five words.” I hold up my fingers and count. “He built her a car.”
“He was too whiny for me. Logan was the best one for Rory.”
I roll my eyes. “He’s a cheater. You’re right. Great catch.”
“He only cheats on his girl because he’s in love with Rory.”
“And that makes it so much better.”
