Chapter Eight #2
He stops his movements and looks me right in the eyes.
“Oh, Alex, my darling girl. The love you have is waiting for someone. Someone who need to be loved and doesn’t know who he looking for until you swoop in and surprise him.
You are blessing, and he will figure it out.
Patience needed for your man, Alex. I see friendship before love.
But your love, it be unbreakable. Trust it…
trust him… trust yourself. A love unwavering like the ocean tide, stronger than a thousand currents. ”
I smirk. Whisper’s faith in love is always refreshing, but I’m not so sure whether it’s just something he says to make me feel better or whether he genuinely believes it. “Thanks, Whisper. We need to find you someone to love.”
“My time will come, Alex. It written in stars. I have patience. You should, too. You want chicken or beef?” he asks, completely changing the subject and flipping some protein over on the hotplate.
“Surprise me.”
Whisper winks as my cell beeps. I look down and notice a message from Logan. I half-smile, hoping it was from Matt, but I read the message anyway.
Logan: So my day sucked balls. My day did, not me, just to be clear, lol. How’d yours end up?
Whisper chuckles, saying, “The message from a man? See, your stars align already.”
I type back a reply while shaking my head. “Yeah… maybe.”
Me: I dunno, I bet you secretly love ball-sucking. It’s your nighttime hobby, right? ;) My day was okayish… busy, just having some dinner with a friend.
“Teriyaki beef for you, Alex, is delicious aaand nutritious,” Whisper tells me, placing the plate in front of me.
“Thanks, you’re awesome.” I pick up my chopsticks as another message comes in.
Logan: Nope, no balls enter this mouth, thank you very much.
lol Unless they’re covered in chocolate or something lol.
Okay, this is officially a weird conversation.
Anyway, I hope you have a nice dinner with your friend.
I’ll try not to message too much and interrupt you. Have a ball-licking good night ;)
I burst out laughing, and I start eating. Suddenly, the seat next to me is occupied, and I look up to see Whisper sitting there rather than behind the griddle as he looks over my shoulder to my cell, seeing I’m in the Lovepessimist app, and he nods.
“Ah-huh. I internet dating guidance guru, you know this, yes?”
I nod, shoveling food into my mouth like there’s no tomorrow. “I know.”
Damn, this food is delicious!
“Then, if you ever need advice on internet dating, I your go-to guy. I give discount on account, we friends.”
Smiling, I roll my eyes and try to hold in my laugh. “Thanks, but I have a friend who’s doing it with me. We’re kinda helping each other through it.”
Whisper looks at me and tilts his head, assessing me, then a sly smile creeps onto his face. “Mmm… your juju change when you mention friend, Alex.”
I sit taller and furrow my brows, pausing my intake of food as my chopsticks halt at my lips. “Well, he’s a new friend. He is interesting and funny, kinda odd, but you know me, I attract the odd ones to my life.”
“Odd? No. Intriguing, captivating, fascinating… yes. The fun people, Alex.”
“Yes, you’re right there, Whisper. You and the twins are definitely all of those.”
Whisper raises an eyebrow and tilts his head like I’ve said something that interests him, but he says nothing more as he continues to read my conversation with Logan over my shoulder. “Logan, he sound like X-men.”
I giggle. “Hopefully, he doesn’t have titanium claws or the chops on his face.”
Whisper laughs. “Hahaha… you so funny. I give you discount on dog grooming. Special this month for you?”
“Whisper, you know I don’t have a dog,” I reply, shoveling in the last of my meal.
“Oh, yes… taxes then?”
“Thanks for dinner and for making me laugh. It was great catching up with you again. I’ll see you soon, for sure.”
He reaches out, grabbing my hand. “Alex, remember, the ghost of our past only haunt us if we let them. You be cool, calm, collected when you feel the demon creep in. The juju will help, pretty girl. Remember, okay?”
Nodding, I lean in for a hug, and he cuddles me back tightly, rubbing my back in a circular motion.
I’m not sure if that’s his way of hugging or just some other weird Whisper juju trick he has going on, but it makes me feel calmer instantly.
I don’t know how he does it, but he always makes me feel better. Lighter. Freer.
“Thanks, Whisper.” I kiss his cheek and turn, making my way outside to my car.
The trip home doesn’t take long, and as soon as I step into my apartment, I know exactly how I want to unwind after a long day—a hot soak in the tub. After my dinner and chat with Whisper, a little extra relaxation sounds perfect.
Grabbing my cell and some scented candles, I head to the bathroom.
It’s not a huge space, but it has everything I need—a classic clawfoot tub, a shower, and a vanity cabinet.
I set up my cell with Spotify and AirPods, and soon, the soothing voice of James Arthur fills the room, wrapping me in a warm cocoon of sound.
Stripping down, I turn on the faucet and let the tub fill.
The scent of lavender and jasmine drifts up as I pour the bath soap into the water, watching the foam build into soft, inviting peaks.
The room flickers with candlelight dancing on the walls after I light them, and the pop anthems born from pain, rebuilt with hope, flood my senses.
This is just what I need.
The tub fills, and I think of Logan and wonder what he’s doing right now and whether he’s thinking of me.
I bite my lip at the thought, place my cell on the window ledge right next to the bath, and sink into the piping-hot water.
The silkiness hits my skin, and I relax instantly.
The warmth caresses me, sweeping over me like a tidal wave of comfort as it rolls over my skin, and I sink further and further into the tub.
Sighing, I close my eyes, resting my arms on the top of the bath’s edges, relishing in the joy I’m feeling right now after a long day.
My cell buzzes.
Lifting my head, I reach for it. Glancing at the name, I expect it to be from Logan, but it’s Matt. My body is instantly more alert, and I smile as he asks how my day went. I’m not sure why, but I feel like this is what I’ve needed tonight—to hear from Matt.
Is it weird that I feel like I’ve missed him?
Me: It was okay… just worked mainly, and then I sent Nate home to shower and hopefully eat. He seems to be going… downhill.
I hit send and wait for him to reply as I lift my leg and watch the droplets of water and bubbles drip from my skin. It always seems so sexy when the women do it in the movies, but I feel awkward as shit.
My cell beeps, and I bring it up to check his reply.
Matt: Made him a big dinner, and we actually talked for a bit. He’s quiet, but he seems okay. Thanks for checking in on him.
Sighing, I feel lighter knowing Nate’s got Matt in his corner. It’s nice to see he’s supported both at home and at work.
Me: Of course. I’m glad you’re with him too — between the two of us, he doesn’t stand a chance.
Matt: Haha, fair. So… how’s it going with Logan?
Me: Good. Slow, but good. We’ve been talking all day… mostly about balls… don’t ask. How’s things with Jaci?
Matt: Okay, but now I have to ask about the ball convo. Things with Jaci are actually going really well. Sounds weird, but I kinda feel a connection with her? Like, legit connection.
Opening my eyes wide, I take a deep breath.
I feel a little weird reading that. But I’m not sure in what way.
I’m happy for Matt, but at the same time, I feel like I want to keep him all to myself.
It’s an odd feeling. I know that when Jaci and Matt finally meet, if they hit it off, our friendship will eventually fade, and it’s only just beginning.
I want to spend more time with Matt before I lose him to Jaci or someone else, if it’s not her.
This feeling is foreign to me. I have friends, lots of them, but none I’ve ever felt so protective over.
I type out a reply, but before I can send it, another message pops up, this time, I assume it’s Logan. My head’s hazy from the warmth of the bath, the scent of lavender, the music, the way the candlelight dances across the water. I don’t even glance at the name. I just see the words.
Message: You’ve been on my mind all night… Can’t stop thinking about your smile.
A flutter moves through me. My lips curve. My body reacts before my brain does, warmth creeping across my chest and down my stomach. My thumbs hover as I reply.
Me: Oh yeah? Maybe you’ll have to do something about that next time we see each other.
Another message pings through almost immediately.
Message: Bold. Didn’t think you had that side in you.
I laugh softly, sinking deeper into the bubbles, the steam curling against my skin. My heart beats faster—not from the heat, but from the words.
Me: Guess you just bring it out of me.
His next message lingers on the screen, and it’s the kind that hits low, teasing but charged.
Message: I’ll take that as a compliment. You always know how to keep me on my toes.
I stare at the text a moment too long. It feels different—less performative than Logan usually sounds. There’s something more grounded, more… real. Still, I type back, lost in the rhythm of it, letting the warmth in the room blur the edges of logic.
Me: You like that, huh? Maybe I like surprising you.
Another ping.
Message: Maybe I like being surprised. Especially when it’s you.
My breath catches slightly at that. I bite my bottom lip and type back, fingers moving before I can second-guess it.
Me: Careful… you keep saying things like that and I might think you’re flirting with me.
Three dots. He’s typing. Then…
Message: What if I am?
That one hits me low. It’s suddenly harder to swallow, harder to ignore the heat blooming under my skin.
Me: Then maybe I should flirt back.