I started to type a response, then stopped. Drew was picturing me naked. Tiny goosebumps broke out over my body, even though I was blanketed with warm water. I knew he was teasing me, yet there was still something exciting about it, and I wanted to play back.
Emerie: Do you like what you’re picturing?
Drew: I just had to adjust my pants under the table. What do you think?
I think…I liked the thought of Drew Jagger getting a hard-on thinking about me. My body was reacting to his texts the same way it had reacted to his kiss last night. I attempted to think of something sexy to type back, but before I could come up with something witty, the little dots were jumping again.
Drew: How did things go with Professor Putz last night after I left?
At the mention of Baldwin, the same other feeling I’d had last night hit me like a bucket of cold water: a reminder that Drew was just being his normal crass self. Yet again I’d thought he was serious for a minute.
Emerie: Not much to tell.
For some reason, I left off that Baldwin had asked if he could take me out tonight to make up for canceling on me.
The texts from Drew had been coming in rapid succession, but he went silent for a few minutes. Eventually, the dots started again.
Drew: Have fun. Gotta get back to my case.
I didn’t hear from him again after that. I soaked a few more minutes in the bath, and then went back down to the office. My afternoon appointments were uneventful, and the rest of the day blew by while I caught up on updating case files. Baldwin texted to say he’d made reservations for seven at someplace I wouldn’t attempt to pronounce, so I left the office at five-thirty to freshen up before dinner.
I changed out of the skirt and blouse I’d worn to the office and into a little black dress. It wasn’t necessary to look up the restaurant where we were going; I knew it would be fancy. Unlike Drew, Baldwin didn’t go to underground pool hall bars or eat greasy burgers from Joey’s. The funny thing was, I really had no desire to go to some uppity place tonight. As I fastened small, pearl drop earrings to my ears, I became annoyed with myself for pretending I wanted to be at those places with Baldwin. The truth of the matter was, I had pretended to like some of the same things as him just to have a reason to spend time together.
When Baldwin knocked promptly as seven, I still wasn’t feeling like myself. My normal excitement had been replaced by annoyance. I was annoyed he’d blown me off last night in favor of the latest woman he was screwing, and I was annoyed I’d been pretending to like things for him when he clearly didn’t go out of his way for me. I opened the door and invited him in so I could grab my phone from the charger and change purses. While I was in the bedroom, I heard a cell phone ring from the living room and then Baldwin’s voice say hello.
I listened to one side of the conversation as I returned to the living room.
“Probably about eleven.”
I walked to the kitchen and opened the purse I’d used today to go to work and began to transfer a few things to my small black clutch.
“Okay, yes. It’ll be late, but we can discuss it then.”
I scrolled through my messages while Baldwin finished up his conversation. A text had come in from Drew about ten minutes ago.
Drew: On way back. You still at the office? Have to write a motion when I get back, going to be a long night for me. Ordering Chinese for delivery. You want something?
I started to text back and then stopped when Baldwin hung up and asked, “You ready?”
“Sure.” I picked up my new purse and went to the closet to get my coat. Baldwin—always the gentleman—took my coat and stood behind me to help put it on. “You have to work after dinner?”
“Hmmm?”
“The phone call. I overheard you say you would talk to someone later.”
“Oh. That was Rachel. We both have work events this weekend, and she wants me to attend hers with her after mine. I told her I’d discuss it when I get there later this evening.”
The little bubble of anger that had been threatening finally broke inside of me. Oddly, I wasn’t really angry at Baldwin. I was pissed at myself. I turned to face him.
“You know what? I’m sorry to do this last minute, but I’ve had a headache all day, and it’s just getting worse. I’m afraid I won’t be very good company tonight.”
Baldwin was taken aback, his brow furrowed. “You don’t want to go to dinner?”
“Not tonight. I’m sorry. Can I take a rain check?” I hadn’t intended to, but I realized immediately after I said it that Baldwin had used the same phrase on me when he canceled last night. Can I take a rain check?
After he left, I remembered I hadn’t sent Drew the text I’d began typing out. My finger hovered over the I’m already gone, but thank you for asking message until it started to erase the words.
Screw it.