Chapter 16
For the secondday in a row, my favorite barista has denied me my morning caffeine fix. She didn’t even say a word today, just shook her head when I walked in the door. Though she was grinning ear to ear.
SLACK DIRECT MESSAGE
Olivia Diamond:
You know you really don’t have to get me coffee every day
Gavin Scott:
But that’s what a good boyfriend would do
Olivia Diamond:
You’re not actually my boyfriend, remember? You don’t have to do stuff like that
Gavin Scott:
Just because it’s pretend doesn’t mean I shouldn’t treat you the way you deserve
My little Gavin crush is turning into a full-blown avalanche. But I don’t feel like it’s entirely one-sided. This whole week he has been the perfect boyfriend, and while he says it’s just for show, I’m starting to question that.
On Tuesday, when I came into work, there was a sticker on my monitor that said “property of my Scottie”—with the “my” crossed out. He must have found it at a pet store because there was a picture of a Scottish terrier in the background.
Wednesday, it was a mug with the same design, except it read “I love my Scottie.” Again, with the “my” crossed out.
He brought me lunch when I was too busy prepping for my demo, coffee multiple days in a row, and every morning when I wake up, there’s a new picture of Churro waiting for me on my phone.
The texts are probably my favorite, especially the “hedge-hugs,” but maybe it’s just their juxtaposition to the other texts I keep getting. The ones from Tristan that are far from innocent.
Theyare the reason I begged Andie to get happy hour today. She and I have both been so busy this week, we’ve barely had time to catch up, and I desperately need her advice.
My Sunday night chat with Tristan hasn’t deterred him at all. In fact, it’s only seemed to fuel the fire. The texts he sends me have gotten more explicit each day this week.
“I don’t understand. How did Tristan get your number?” Andie asks. We just sat down on the patio at B Bar and immediately ordered two dozen oysters and a bottle of rosé.
I cringe, thinking about what Tristan told me. “I think it was my mom. She was under the impression that we’re friends.”
“Creepy,” Andie says, cringing right along with me. “All right, let me see them.” She reaches for my phone.
“Okay, but just a disclaimer. I’ve been trying to respond as neutrally as I can, just so I don’t offend him, you know?”
“Okaaaay.” She drags out the word and snatches the phone from my hands. And then, as expected, her eyes bulge.
“Olivia!” She whisper-yells. “You sound like a freaking Teletubby. What the hell is this?”
I shrug, while simultaneously chewing my cheek so hard that it bleeds. Our waitress comes by with the wine and I thank her with full sincerity.
“I just didn’t know what to say.”
She slides the phone closer to me. “The angel face emoji? Really?”
I take a huge glug of wine and slump down in my chair. Then I look through the messages again.
Tristan Cross:
When can I see you in that black dress again?
And when can I see you out of it?
Me:
Wow
*blushing face emoji*
I still have a boyfriend
Tristan Cross:
Have those plans started to bore you yet? Because I promise I can keep you up all night screaming my name
Me:
Oh my
Tristan Cross:
I’m a generous man, Olivia. Especially in the bedroom. Let me find out how many times I can make you come
Me:
Umm no thank you *angel face emoji*
I push the phone back to her, not wanting to read the rest.
She’s right. I could have handled that better. Why isn’t there a guru for situations like this? Maybe I need a life coach.
“How does he think it’s okay to send you those texts?” Andie asks, quiet rage seeping through her lips.
“Because he’s a man?” And a rich and powerful one at that. She “tsks” in silent agreement.
“I know you’re worried about closing this deal,” she continues. “But this is getting creepy. You should tell Mitch.”
“No way. He’ll take it away from me for sure.”
Our oysters come and we both demolish a few in silence. There is truly nothing better on a Friday afternoon than sitting on the rooftop patio at B Bar, slurping oysters and rosè. Even if we are dissecting the mess of my life.
“There will always be other deals, Liv.”
“Not for me. Not like this. I really don’t think there will be. If I lose it, that proves to Mitch that I’m not ready, and if I start somewhere new, it’ll be at least another year in the trenches before I’m given a shot like this.”
She looks like she’s about to say something else when my phone chimes with another text. It’s a picture from Gavin and Andie opens it immediately. I don’t know why I hold my breath. Of course, it’s just a photo of Churro. Well, technically it’s Churro balancing on top of Gavin’s head. Its fucking adorable and makes me want to kiss the smirk right off his perfect face.
Gavin Scott:
We needle you to join us for game night. Hedge over whenever you’re free
I can’t stop from grinning. He’s so wholesome. Why is he the one I’m always fantasizing about at night when Tristan is practically sexting me?
“Oh my god!” Andie squeals. “You love him. I knew it!”
“You knew nothing,” I argue, taking my phone back. “We’re just friends.”
“Since when?”
“Since now.”
I quickly fill her in on Saturday since in her mind, Gavin and I haven’t actually hung out before, minus the off-site.
“You met Lucy Gold? We’ve been talking about these stupid men for an hour and now you tell me the most important thing I missed last weekend?”
“I’m sorry, truly. I shouldn’t gate-keep. She was exactly what you’d imagine, maybe cooler. She even invited me to come visit her in LA.”
I almost forgot that Andie was the one who introduced me to Lucy’s books. Andie isn’t a fan of open-door romance like I am, but she is a YA Romantasy fiend; I think Lucy’s title Sleeping Darlings is her favorite book ever. Her copy has about a thousand tabs in it.
“I’m never going out of town again.” She sighs, her lips forming a dramatic pout. “I missed so much.”
Shit. I haven’t even told her the biggest piece of news.
“Well, before we head out, there’s one more thing,” I say.
“Really?”
“Yep. I’m coming with you to Mexico.”