“Good to see you, Nova,” I replied. “I gotta run.” I kept walking on past her.
“Rude, Asa,” she said as I reached the door.
I turned around and flashed her a smile. “Sorry, Nova. I literally got to run. I came in for a drink.” I held up the bottle of water and then left. I didn’t look back at Ezmita. I didn’t say she was why I was in here. Nova could be evil if inspired. Any chance she thought I’d blown her off because of Ezmita, I’d have given Ezmita an enemy she didn’t deserve.
I broke into a jog and tried like hell not to think about Ezmita’s plans tonight.
I Was Turned Down Over a Book CHAPTER 24
EZMITA
I had reread the same page three times, and I still didn’t know what was happening. I had no focus. My big plans for the night had been to lock myself in my room and read. I wasn’t being very successful.
Until Asa had come into the store today and asked me out like I was just supposed to be willing and available at a moment’s notice, I hadn’t thought about what I was going to do tonight. It was a Saturday night, after all. Brett had asked me to come over and watch television, but I had declined. I didn’t need to start that up again. If we were going to be friends, then being together all the time sent the wrong message.
I gave up on the book and laid it on the bed beside me, then rolled over onto my back to stare at the ceiling. I didn’t want to be here. I wanted to be with Asa. As stupid as that desire happened to be, because after tomorrow I may not hear from him for another week or two. The last time we went on a date, he went silent. I should prepare for that to happen again.
My phone dinged, alerting me of a text message. I rarely ever got those. I picked it up and stared at the screen. It was Asa. He was texting me. Was he cancelling already for tomorrow? Did he get a better option later today and change his mind? The girl who had come inside the store today had been gorgeous and seemed into him. Maybe he caught up with her later. My stomach felt sick and I hated this feeling.
Opening the text message, I read it, then reread it.
How’s your evening going?
How was my evening going? Was he serious? He hadn’t texted me after we’d made out in the bed of his truck, but he comes in today, remembers I’m alive, and now he texts me. I should ignore it for a while. Text him in a few hours. Make him wait.
Who was I kidding? I wasn’t good at playing games. I’d never played games. Asa Griffith wasn’t going to get me to start playing them.
Fine. Thank you. How is your evening going? I sent the text and dropped the phone on the bed, then stood up. I was not going to lie there and wait for him to text back. That was—ding.
I stared down at my phone. He had already texted back. I reached down and picked it up.
Could be better. Wish you were here.
Oh. Okay, so he was flirting. I did not understand him, but I wasn’t going to be able to ignore him either.
What are you doing? I asked, feeling brave with the security of texting instead of talking.
Madden. Nash sucks, he replied almost immediately. So, he wasn’t out with the gorgeous girl from today or the redhead. He was at Nash’s apartment. I was relieved, and I could admit that the knot in my stomach instantly eased.
If you’re texting me, he must be bad. This was nice. Much better than reading. I sat down on the bed and crossed my legs.
What are you doing? he asked, and I looked around my room, wondering if admitting I’d turned him down for a book was a good idea. I hated to lie. I didn’t want to play games and that was playing games.
Reading. There, I admitted it. His ego would survive.
There was a long pause. After three minutes, I began to think he wasn’t going to text me back. Had I made him mad? Then the phone dinged. I let out a sigh of relief.
I was turned down over a book. Damn. That stings.
Not as bad as his going out with the redhead the day after our date, but I wouldn’t point that out. It wasn’t fair. He’d stressed this wasn’t exclusive.
It’s Hemingway if that makes you feel better. And I was clueless as to what it was about.
Five minutes went by and he didn’t respond. I forced myself to put the phone down. I could go watch television or something. Not sit here and wait. I could paint my nails or do a face mask.