“Don’t forget to tip your waitresses. I’ll be here all week.”
His brows furrow in confusion. “We don’t have waitresses. Unless you mean the lunch ladies?”
One of these days I’ll learn to stop when I’m ahead.
A text comes in and I take a peek. It’s Mina, wondering where I am. It’s a fair question, and I’m sure if I explained she’d understand, but she’s so quick to assume I have villainous intent, I don’t feel like giving her an explanation. I don’t need to justify myself to her.
My God. Is this really who I want to be? What version of Nathan West isn’t willing to offer a simple explanation for his actions? The one that’s spent too much time listening to Dom and his cynical views on the world, that’s who. Is it his influence that made me think this whole pretend girlfriend thing was a good idea in the first place? It was all I could do to keep a straight face when I made the proposition. Mina’s shocked expression was so on point, and me? I worked so hard to play it cool I don’t think I even blinked…
“See!” Ricky grimaces. “I knew I was bothering you.”
Fuck. Enough worrying about Mina. You’re here to help, so help already. “Ricky—"
“Mom always said I’m too needy and—”
I put a hand on his arm and those watery browns meet mine.
“What does it mean if a plant’s leaves are drying up and turning brown?”
The out-of-context question short circuits Ricky’s meltdown. “That it hasn’t been watered enough?”
“Exactly. Would you call that plant needy and tell it to deal? Or would you grab a watering can and get to work?”
“I’d water it.”
“That’s what I’m doing here.” I shrug as I let my point sink in.
Ricky smiles softly and stares at his feet. “Can I play one more time?” he asks quietly. “Will you listen?”
Every minute I spend here is one less I have to get my story straight with Mina, but there’s no way I can leave Ricky. Not until I’m sure he won’t psych himself out of playing tonight. If he doesn’t get on that stage, his confidence may never recover. Keeping the promises we make to ourselves is the most important step in mental health. It doesn’t hurt to have someone at our side, cheering us on when we falter. I need to ensure both happen for this kid today.
“I’m here as long as you need me.”
Ricky’s eyes light up. “Really? Will you stay and watch the show? It starts real soon, and I play first.”
I do some quick math. I should be able to watch Ricky, pick up Mina, and still have time to get to the party, but I’ll be cutting it close. “I’ll have to leave as soon as you’re done playing…”
“That’s okay. I just would feel so much better to know you’re here.”
A text from Mina comes in and she’s understandably uncomfortable. I answer her question to the best of my ability, then silence my phone and give my full attention to Ricky before his nerves get on top of him again.
TEN
Mina
Nothing about today has turned out the way I expected. I thought I’d have a quick meeting with Nathan at my office to talk about my ideas for his build. Now I’m pretending to be his date at his birthday party. I thought I’d hear from him hours ago so we could get our stories straight. Now it’s time to get ready and I haven’t heard squat.
I have no idea what to expect tonight. No clue how many people will be at this party. Nathan’s family is well known for their philanthropy, which means they might be good people but they’re also swimming in money, which means they probably aren’t. How is someone like me supposed to fit in, given my boring life and budget friendly wardrobe he so kindly pointed out? I wait as long as I can, then finally open my messaging app, which says Nathan has silenced his notifications, with an option to force my message through if it's urgent. This seems urgent to me, so I select that option and angrily type in a text.
We still on for tonight? We’re running out of time to have any kind of conversation about “our relationship.” I don’t know where you are. I don’t know where the party is. I don’t even know what to wear. And you call me the hot mess…
Seconds later, a curt reply.
The Prince of Darkness
busy
party at my parents’ house
I’ll call you as soon as I can about the other stuff
But we’re still on?
yes
A little more info would be a lot of help
I wait for a response. And wait…
And wait…
Hello?
Nothing.
Is this thing on?
After several minutes pass, it’s clear our communication has come to an end.
