I traced the couple on the cover with a finger. Jimmy was a good friend to hunt me down and bring this book to me. I might have broken down and read it someday, but it wouldn’t have been anytime soon. My eyes struggled to focus from lack of sleep—I still had to work in a few short hours, but Chase was worth the book hangover.
Gina gave me a knowing look when I rolled in for my shift with tired eyes and an extra-large cup of coffee. “Stayed up late reading?” I nodded. “How was it?” she asked.
My lips tilted. “Really good.”
“Good enough that you want to see him again?” she asked.
I nodded and she smiled. “I want to read that book.”
That surprised a laugh out of me. “It’s a deal, I’ll bring it in for you tomorrow. But I want it back.”
Focusing on work through the weight of fatigue and possibility of reuniting with Chase required all my effort. My mind kept flitting through the possibilities. How to reach out to him. What his response would be. The first step was unblocking him on my phone, but that wouldn’t magically let him know I wanted to talk. I needed to make the first move.
I drove home with multiple scenarios playing through my head, but none seemed quite right. Sending him a picture of my panties might send the wrong message. Or the right one.
I scrolled my social media feed when I got home, hoping for inspiration in Chase’s recent posts as Virginia Rothman. I’d unfollowed him to ensure a clean break, and hadn’t seen his recent cooking posts. His latest recipe was for chicken with mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables. I smiled at the symmetry.
@VirginiaRothman that looks like a meal for 2. Let me know if you need someone to help eat it ...
I wasn’t sure if or when he’d see it, but I didn’t have long to wait as my phone began to ring.
“Tamra? Is that really you?” Chase asked breathlessly.
The tangle of anxiety in my chest relaxed at his eager tone.
“Chase. You called me. Of course, it’s me. How are you?” He couldn’t see my hands shake as I forced a casual tone.
“Glad to hear your voice. I didn’t know Jimmy was going to bring you an advance copy of my book, but if this is the result, then I owe him beer for life.”
The obvious relief and pleasure in his tone loosened something inside me. Fears that it was too late for us melted.
“He told you about his visit?”
“Yes, afterwards. I promise, I didn’t put him up to it. He’s reminded me about social boundaries again and again. I like to think I’m catching on.”
I suppressed a smile. “Well, don’t change too much. I still make my own mistakes from time to time.”
“I’m truly sorry for standing you up. I’d like to see you and apologize in person. Would you be willing to come over for dinner Saturday?” he asked.
I injected some light suspicion in my voice. “Are you asking me to your place to make it impossible to stand me up? You know you could forget and leave the house, right?”
“I promise that won’t happen. I thought coming to my place might appeal to you; if I don’t prove that I’m on the ball, then you could kick me in mine.”
“Wow. Classy like that, am I?”
“Jimmy had suggested lighting a match and watching my condo burn, but I’m pretty sure the police, fire department, and my insurance company would all frown on that one, not to mention me. Especially since I fully plan to be inside.”
“Well if it’s frowned upon, you know I’d never do it. I’d love to come over.”
I could hear the relief in his voice as we finalized details. I couldn’t control my grin and suppressed the giddy rush with effort. We’d both taken the first cautious steps. It was the follow-through where we usually failed. Stop. That was the old Tamra. This year, I’d proven that I could push through. Finish. Stick out the hard things, like my dance classes. Falling in love hadn’t been one of my goals. But with Chase, I hoped happily-ever-after could be.
Chapter 29 - Chase
I took Jimmy out for a thank you dinner earlier in the week, and he’d helped me prepare a concrete plan to show I’d changed.
By Friday, I felt ready, nervous, and on the edge of euphoria. Read-nerv-phoria. Look it up. It’s a thing. Or it should be. Opening up communication with Tamra had been what I’d hoped for when I dedicated the book to her and outed myself. But part of me never thought I’d hear from her again. Waiting for our night together kept me on a knife edge of pleasure-pain at the possibilities.
My plan’s beauty was in its simplicity. Step one: show up. Very important, that step one. I figured I had that one nailed. My new habits made missing commitments a thing of the past. Step two: prepare something delicious for us to enjoy. That played to my strengths, and I chose a recipe that I could mostly make ahead, to enable step three: shower her with my love and attention. Jimmy had advised me to “Woo the shit out of her.”
Wooing meant sharing my best self with Tamra, and I prepared everything for our date with care. It took most of the day, and I could feel the cursor on my laptop blinking in silent accusation for missing writing time, but I managed to resist the lure. I had temptation of a whole other kind headed my way tonight.
I opened the door to Tamra with a smile that lit up my entire face. She showed. A small part of me had thought it would be the perfect revenge to stand me up and blow me off for good. Instead, she was giving me a real chance.
Tamra wore form-fitting jeans and a red top
