Page 88 of How to Break My Heart

I close my eyes, caught in the memories of last night. Every touch, every sound, replays like a movie on repeat. When I open my eyes, I see Houdini has appeared beside me, making me gasp as I bring my hand to my chest. I’m pretty sure it’s him, if he is ahim. The same dark gray color and mottled skin.

“Okay, listen, if you’re gonna keep surprising me, could you at least make a sound? You know,ribbit?”

A croaking sound emerges from his tiny body.

“Thanks, just a bit too late,” I mumble, then glance at him again. “Do you want to know something interesting? I slept with my best friend’s brother last night, and things are so weird, I don’t even know what I’m supposed to do. Do I call him? Was it a onetime thing? I rode him bareback for Christ’s sake!”

Houdini stills all movements. I knew it, he’s just as shocked as I am.

“I know, what was I thinking? I wasn’t! I’m never thinking around him. Why does he make me feel like nothing else matters?”

With a short and stout body, Houdini continues to sit in close proximity to me. I try not to make any sudden movements so as not to scare him.

“What do you think, Houdini? Have I caught feelings for him? If it’s a yes, jump back into the lake. If you think this is a fling I’ll get over, stay perfectly still.”

I wait with bated breath, but then Houdini spots a bug of some sort and hops in the opposite direction of the lake.

“Great, you’re of no help to me.”

As much as I want to stay here, ignoring all my problems, I know I need to head to the café and help Billie.

“I’m sorry I’m late!”

I rush through the door and straight behind the counter,where Billie is preparing two hot chocolates. There was no time for a shower, just a quick outfit change into a pair of jeans and a wool blouse.

His scent lingers all over me.

My entire body aches, and when I reach up to grab a clean plate from the shelf, I let out a groan, unknowingly.

“You look…” Billie falls short of words, observing me with her lips curved. “How can I put this politely?”

“Like death?”

“Freshly screwed,” she blurts out.

“Billie!” I gasp, surprised by her choice of words since she isn’t vulgar like Maddy. “That’s very unlike you.”

She shrugs, her smile fading. “Yeah, well… I could use the distraction.”

“Is everything okay with your mom?” I ask, worried.

“For now.” Billie sighs heavily, then smiles. “Anyway, can we go back to your exciting love life?”

“Okay, listen… there is no love, so technically, no love life.”

“Sure. So, was this bestie’s older brother?” Billie waits with hopeful eyes. “It was, wasn’t it?”

I glance around, then pull Billie into the kitchen. “Yes, but please promise me you’ll say nothing to Maddy. I don’t want her getting involved, and I already feel guilty for having to lie to her.”

Billie holds up her pinkie finger. “I swear I won’t. Only if you promise not to tell anyone a hot surgeon gave me his number, and he’s possibly double my age.”

“Age gap?” I grin with a nod. “You go, girl.”

“It was a very McDreamy moment. I mean, age ain’t nothing but a number, right?” Billie shakes her head, then places her hands on my shoulders. “Tell me everything that happened last night with Aston.”

I start with Aston appearing at the jewelry store and then continue with the rest of the night. As the story progresses, her eyes widen with enthusiasm.

“This is the most exciting thing to happen to you in the time I’ve known you,” Billie is quick to tell me.