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Tomorrow, I would plan. Tomorrow, I would figure it all out.

But as I slipped deeper into sleep, a small voice in the back of my mind whispered that maybe, just maybe, not everything could be planned. Maybe some things—the most important things—had to be felt, experienced, risked.

Maybe that was the hardest part of being an adult that no one had warned me about: knowing when to plan and when to simply leap.

Chapter 18

Geri

Istill hadn't messaged anyone by 1 PM the next day. I had, in fact, gotten up for my housekeeping shift and left my phone in the room. I was, after all, the queen of avoiding everything.

After I had finished my shift, I went and changed. I had two hours until I was needed in the restaurant for a shift, but on my way to my room, I ran into Mrs. Harrington, who told me I wasn't needed in the restaurant tonight. She wanted me in the bar—a birthday was booked down there, and it was going to be busy, so I now had four hours of free time but would be working until well after midnight. I just smiled and agreed because I was a chicken shit who did what scary bosses told them.

I went back to my room and finally messaged Alex back. I started with a simple:”

Hey

and received a

Hey

back instantly. Then my phone rang, Alex's name on the screen. I pulled on my big girl pants, said "fuck it," and answered the call.

It was a nice call at first—all sweet hellos, missed you’s, etc.—until I finally bit the bullet and said, "Hey, I think we need to talk."

Alex groaned and said, "I knew this was coming."

"What?" I asked, confused by his reaction.

"I knew you would put a label on this," he said, sounding resigned.

I smiled and said, "Sorry. I mean, it's time, right?"

"Yes, it's time," Alex agreed. "I mean, I had hoped we could just keep going the way it is. I like it this way."

"I do too," I admitted, "but I don't want to get your hopes up for more."

He sighed and said, "I know, I know. I had guessed it from the start, and I don't want to lose this. Can we keep messaging? I love having someone to talk to daily. I like the feeling of having a girlfriend without actually having one."

I laughed because I could relate to that. It was nice to have someone there without actually having the fear of losing it.

"Sure," I said, feeling a weight lift from my shoulders. "Just make sure if you ever meet a woman, you tell me so I can change my texts from 'fuck buddies' to 'friends.'"

He laughed and said, "I want the same, okay?"

"But I will want dick pics. They make me smile," I added, grinning to myself.

My phone instantly pinged with a fresh dick pic of Alex, which again made me laugh.

"Did you have that one at the ready?" I asked, amused.

"Sure did," he replied. "I had pulled this afternoon thinking of your pussy, so I thought I would snap it to send to you."

I laughed again because damn, he had a good-looking dick, and I told him so.

Then he asked if I wanted to fool around on the phone. I looked at the time and groaned.

"I can't," I said reluctantly. "I've got a shift soon, and I want to grab some food beforehand. I've not eaten today."