AllFreeNovel
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“Gonna be honest, never thought it would happen. You’re both stubborn fucks.”
Idid not dress for the November weather and now I’m guilty of the same thing every other Vancouverite is guilty of. The weather in Vancouver is so mild for most of the year, that Vancouverites delete the memory of cold from their brains. Even freezing their asses off in t-shirts and flip-flops isn’t enough to convince them that the shivering they’re experiencing is from the cold, and they live in denial until the first snowfall—usually in late December—reaches in with icy claws, tearing them from that delusion.
It's something I bitch about while taking pride in my own preparedness. But this year? Didn’t even think to bring my heavier leather jacket on the plane. Why? One guess. Yep—Alderchuck. He’s the only thing my brain’s capable of thinking about. It’s his fault that I have to race from my Uber to the front door of my building with the cold biting through my insufficiently padded hoodie.
I’m barely through the door to my condo in Vancouver and my phone’s going nuts. Messages from Lane, Charles, Gina, and one from Alderchuck.
My heart stops. Would he break up with me through text? Can we break up if we were never dating to begin with? Like a coward, I leave that one alone. I’m no saint. I’m willing to pushsome of his boundaries when I think he’s playing hard to get, but if he’s for real I’d respect his word, hard as that might be.
Charles
Good news! Mom’s doing great. Thanks for all your help.
Does he think he’s getting rid of me that easily?Nice try, kid.
Lane
I was by the house today. Nothing major to report.
I toss my keys on the kitchen island and leave my carry-on by the door. I put in a call to Charles.
“I told you she was good,” he says.
“Which makes me think she’s not good.”
“Happy for you to talk to her, Mitch.”
“No need. I’ll be talking to Lane. He’ll tell me.”
“He’ll tell you just how fine she is.”
“Then you’ve got nothing to worry about.”
He makes a frustrated sound. “You’re the worst.” He hangs up.
Me
Good talk.
I’ll deal with his ass later. I put off opening Casey’s text a little longer and open Gina’s instead.
Gina
You off the plane yet? Get ready. Someone’s picking you up at five pm.
Me
What the fuck, Gina?
Gina
Wear something comfortable. Sporty. Something with the Copperheads logo on it. Bring your pretty camera smile.
Sarcastic fuck. She knows that I don’t have a pretty camera smile.
She must have some kinda PR thing planned. It would be nice if she fucking told me what it was. Whatever it is, it’ll involve Casey. Does he know about it? Maybe that’s why he texted. I open his message with less tension squeezing my muscles.
Kitten
