Page 41 of The Beat of My Heart

“It’s okay,” I tell him, unsure what to say.

“Let me try that again,” he says, “Will you allow me to escort you to dinner tonight, Angel?” his smile genuine.

“I’d like that very much,” I tell him.

“Okay, I’ll let you do your thing, but don’t leave without me. I want to see you again before we start our day. Just knock on the door whenever you’re ready,” he tells me as he walks to the adjoining door between our two rooms.

When I hear the door click, I run for my phone and call Lanie.

“Hey, there, lady! What’s up?” she asks.

“Lanes, I only have a few minutes. I’ve been having hot monkey sex with the elevator stranger; I named him Charlie, by the way. Like, serious monkey sex. We went to the Sox game and have been spending all our time together, but then we forgot the condom, and even though I’m on the pill, I thought the responsible thing to do was to call Dr. Foley and have her order me Plan-B. Well, Dr. Foley decided since I always take my pill at the same time and never miss, I didn’t need Plan-B. This is only until Friday, but I-I think I like him, but there are all kinds of messed up things going on with his dad, like scary stuff. And I don’t even know where he is from so there’s no way this would go anywhere and I can’t leave Vermont. I’ve got responsibilities and my parents, and you, and…”

“Whoa, whoa, Chica, slow down. Wow. Just wow. Let’s break this down, okay. So, the sex is good?” she asks.

“Holy shit, Lanes. You do not understand. This is like someFifty Shades of Greygood, and it keeps getting better,” I tell her.

“Holy hot pockets, Jules! This is awesome. Well, not the unprotected sex part, what were you thinking?” she scolds.

“Obviously, I wasn’t,” I inform her, rolling my eyes. “It’s kind of hard to think when he’s making me orgasm before, during, and even after sex,” I whisper-yell.

“Why are you whispering?” she asks.

“Because his room is next door to mine. Like right next door and there’s an adjoining door connecting our two suites together,” I tell her.

“Well, isn’t that convenient,” she laughs.

“Lanie, I swear to God, do not mess with me today,” I warn.

“Okay, okay, so what’s the problem?” she asks.

Sighing, I wonder how truthful I want to be. “I’m going to end up with a broken heart,” I tell her.

“Ah, Jules,” she says. Lanie is nothing if not empathic. “Sweetie, you do realize you are the one who made these stupid rules to begin with, right? Nothing is stopping you from exchanging numbers, this doesn’t have to end on Friday unless you want it to,” she tells me.

“I know,” I say, still feeling defeated. “B-but what if that’s not what he wants?” And there it is. My old insecurities are creeping up to strangle me yet again.

“Well, then he isn’t worth it, Jules. This is all really fast; just try to take it day by day, okay? Don’t put so much pressure on yourself. For once, just ride the wave and see where life takes you,” she tells me.

Glancing at the clock, I realize I’m running late, again. “Oh shit, I gotta go Lanes, I’m going to be late.”

“Okay, luvs. And for crying out loud, use those stinking condoms!” Lanie yells just before I hang up.

“Yes, mom. Luvs,” I say as I run to the shower, pressing play on my kick-ass playlist.

* * *

Trevor

I’m sittingin the chair outside of our adjoining door, listening to Angel sing off-key and possibly knocking over every piece of furniture that’s not nailed down.God, she’s fucking adorable.

Checking my phone as I wait, I see another message from Loki.

Unknown Number: We are in, package secure.

Unknown Number: You are free to go anytime.

Trevor: Thanks.