Page 33 of The Love Interest

“Okay.”

“Iwater my plant.”

“Got it.”

“Fiona made out with a famous author yesterday.”

“Who’s Fiona?”

“Our new roommate.” Jed points at me.

“Oh.” She doesn’t give either of us another look, but she does reach out to muss up Jed’s hair on her way out.

“I brought home gluten-free brownies from work if you want one!” I call out.

Her response is another door slam.

“I’m surprised she likes you so much,” Jed says. “It usually takes her months to warm up to people.”

I am about to ask him if he really thinks she likes me but my phone vibrates, and I actually start to salivate. I try to play it cool and take a couple of deep breaths, sending positive energy to my heart and yoni before reaching for it. Jed leans over me to grab it, looks down at the screen, says, “It’s him,” and then drops the phone in my lap.

I comb my fingers through my hair and fix my bangs before opening up the text app.

When I see the text from Emmett, I wonder if he sent it to the wrong number because it’s so different from the ones he’d sent me before.

EMMETT: Hey. I’m really sorry, but I won’t be able to meet up with you. This isn’t going to work. Best, Emmett

“Best, Emmett?”Who ends a text message like that?

Jed’s staring at me. “What’d he say?”

I feel a little bit sick and a little bit angry, and I don’t even want to read that text aloud.

But I also can’t just leave it at that.

ME: Dear sir, please clarify. Do you mean you are not able to meet up with me today, or you will not be meeting up with me ever? Thanks.

About a minute later, I get a reply.

EMMETT: It’s just not a good idea for us to meet up. You’ll understand eventually. Have a great week.

Okay, well, that doesn’t even deserve a response.

This man doesn’t deserve me.

He doesn’t even deserve one more awesome text from me.

Ohhhh but he’s getting one.

ME: Dear sir, thanks so much for your prompt clarification. I look forward to understanding eventually and hope you also have a pleasant week. Yours truly, Fiona

I don’t get a reply.

Which is fine.

I drop my phone onto the bed and lie back down.

“Did he dump you?”