Page 26 of Desire or Defense

Andie

Hey, It’s Andie. I was wondering what days you could work with Noah this week? My days off are Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

I stare at the screen for two whole minutes. No response, and no typing bubbles. I set my phone back on the ledge of the bathtub. I should’ve just kept listening to my stupid book.

Closing my eyes, I attempt to put the text I sent him out of my mind. Maybe he’s busy, maybe he went out with friends. Maybe he has a girlfriend! Oh, my gosh. Of course the famous hockey man with arms of steel would have a girlfriend. Probably several. And how’s he going to have time with all these girlfriends of his if he’s helping Noah? My texting him was utterly ridiculous. Picking my phone back up, I type out another text.

Andie

No pressure, though.

Andie

I’m sure you’re busy.

Still nothing.

Andie

Let’s just forget about it!

The more texts I send, the more anxious and weird I feel. Setting my phone back on the ledge again, I sink down into the tub until my head is completely immersed. Can I just stay here and forget I ever sent all those texts to Mitch Anderson?

I feel the vibration of my phone through the tub and pop up through the surface of the water… and bubbles. Bubbles that taste really bad, by the way.

Reaching for my fluffy yellow towel that’s hanging a few feet away on a towel rack, I dry off my hands and face before glancing at my phone screen. Two texts from Mitch. I grab my phone so fast, heart racing, that I almost drop the phone into the bathtub.

Big Man

Sorry I was in the shower.

I scoff. “With all your girlfriends?” I mutter to myself in a stupid voice.

Big Man

I can do Wednesday. What time?

I take a deep breath.

Andie

Are you sure you’re not too busy?

Big Man

Blondie, I’m the opposite of busy. Now, what time?

Andie

Let’s do 4PM.

“Blondie.” I scoff. “How original.”

But I can’t help the smile that tugs at my lips. I wonder what it would sound like when he says Blondie out loud, all deep and rumbly and annoyed. He’s always annoyed, actually. Brow always scrunched. Realizing I’m smiling at the thought, I quickly make my expression neutral, even though no one’s here to see me.

Mitch is nothing like the sweet-as-a-cinnamon-roll hero in my book. But then again, Prince Romeo in said book keeps pursuing the other contestants in his search for a wife, when he already knows he’s in love with one of them.

Something tells me a guy like Mitch wouldn’t do that. No, if he was really into someone, he’d be all, this is my woman. No one touches her.