Page 92 of Like You Want It

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CARLY

On Saturday morning, I sip my delicious post-yoga coffee and eat a bowl of muesli and yogurt whileUnbreakable Kimmy Schmidtplays on Netflix.

If there has ever been a television character that I could identify with, it is without a doubt the relentlessly optimistic and endlessly underestimated character played by Ellie Kemper.

I might not have been kept in a bunker for years by a cult leader, but I have definitely experienced the restrictions of overbearing male figures, and have still come out the other side with a smile and an optimistic outlook.

Now, if only I could find myself a Titus Andromedon.

My phone vibrates, drawing my eyes down to the device that rests next to my bowl.

Unknown: Are you awake?

I crunch on my muesli, my brow furrowed.

Me: Who is this?

Unknown: Fin

I set my phone down and keep eating. Well. That’s not what I was expecting. I pick up my phone again and consider how to respond. Apart from that weird day at the coffee shop when he barely acknowledged me, it has been two weeks since I’ve seen or talked to Fin.

Since the night we had sex. The night he came to my door and I asked him what he wanted and he couldn’t answer.

Seems like we’re both a little confused.

But that brings me to now, and him texting me and I can’t help but suddenly get flustered at what he might want.

Me: Yes, I’m awake.

There. That’s neutral enough. I’m just responding honestly. I’m not throwing back my sheets and giving him a come hither, but I’m also not giving him the middle finger.

And trust me when I say that this man elicits both reactions out of me.

Almost as soon as I click send, there’s a knock on my door.

I groan internally, my head falling back.

Okay, mister. Being awake and being up for a visitor are two very different things. I just got back from teaching yoga, and I’m exhausted and still stinky. The vain part of me doesn’t want the first time he sees me since we had sex to be sans makeup with nasty body odor.

Instead of answering my door, I go full millennial and text him back.

Me: Are you at my door?

Fin: Yes

Me: Why?

Fin: Are you home?

Me: Yes

Fin: Can you just answer your door?

Me: After you tell me why you’re here

Fin: Seriously?