“Yeah. I just have something I wanted to discuss with you.”
He laughed, “It can’t be over the phone?”
“No. I’d rather do it in person. If you’re free. I mean, if not, it’s okay. We can figure out another time or something.”
“Anna,” he said with another laugh, I assumed to stop my rambling. “It’s fine. Tomorrow works out great for me.”
I smiled. “Okay, good. Thank you.”
“What time?”
“Whatever time works for you?”
“Is ten okay?” he asked.
I smiled because that was his normal appointment time.
“Ten is perfect,” I said.
“Alright, I’ll see you then.
“Okay, bye,” I said and hung up the phone as soon as he said bye.
Ally laughed. “See, that wasn’t so bad, was it?”
I laughed and shook my head at her. “Just eat your pizza.”
I was glad it had been so easy to ask him. I was starting to feel better after everything that happened on Monday, but I couldn’t help how nervous I was already beginning to feel. I still had almost a full day to get through.
I only had one client the next day, and I figured I would just cancel with her. She had been a regular for quite some time and wasn’t going to miss a session. I’d give her a discount to make up for it.
Ally looked at me like she was waiting for something.
“What?” I asked her.
“Shouldn’t you be thanking me? I told you he had a thing for you. My signs are never wrong, sis. When are you going to realize that?” she said.
“Thanks. But um. No. Nothing has happened yet. What if he thinks I’m crazy?”
Ally rolled her eyes. “He isn’t going to. He’s going to agree to it because he can’t stand to be away from you, and this is a chance to be your fake boyfriend, which will possibly turn into a chance to be your real boyfriend.”
She sounded sure of herself, but I didn’t want to jump in and believe her again. I didn’t want to be let down if he didn’t really feel that way.
After I took Ally back to her car by my studio and went home, I couldn’t help but think about what might come of this arrangement. I didn’t really think we would start dating for real, but I did let my fantasies run wild when I took my shower.
I pictured us kissing. We would realize instantly that there was an undeniable connection between us. I pictured my parents leaving and him ripping my clothes off and ravaging my body in ways I never thought possible. I went to bed with my vibrator in hand and slept peacefully through the night.
Chapter Seven
Justin
I had mixed emotions the next morning when I woke up. I took Margie to preschool and went back home to get ready for my meeting with Anna. She called me the night before asking if I wanted to come see her at her studio because she had something she wanted to ask me. My mind was racing all night with the possibilities. I was a little nervous about what exactly it might be. I had to admit I was really excited to see Anna. I couldn’t stop thinking about it.
She didn’t explain what she wanted to talk about; she was being pretty cryptic. I was curious. Intrigued. And nervous. After the way I left on Monday, I didn’t think I would ever hear from her again. And now I was going to see her.
She picked the perfect time. Margie was in preschool and would be there for a few more hours. I would have to pick her up later in the afternoon, but at least I could have a conversation with Anna without worrying about Margie running all over the place. I didn’t mind her tagging along with me, but sometimes it was just easier to go to places alone.
I walked into Anna’s studio, and she was standing at her white checkout counter. She was on the phone looking at an open appointment book, so I figured she was making an appointment. She looked at me and held up her pointer finger to tell me she would be with me in just a minute.