Chapter Fourteen
“Argh! It’s so fucking good to hear you voice,” River said cheerfully from the other end of the line. It had been over four days since I had last seen him. “How’s everything going on your end, petal?”
“I’m good …” I dawdled as I nakedly shifted in bed, contemplating if he would be offended for what I had to tell him next. “Well, there’s this thing … You see, I’m going on a date tomorrow.”
Kyle Matthews hadn’t wasted time securing a timestamp on our dinner date. Not that he had to try hard. I was too excited to even dream of letting him wait.
“You move fast.” River let out a whooshing sound. “Are you sure you’re ready to date again?” He sounded so wounded I almost took my words back. Almost.
He was appalled to realize that I moved fast? I slept with him hours after breaking it off with Parker. Speedy didn’t even cut it. But given our present predicament, I understood why he stated it that way. It was part concern and part injured feelings.
“I’m sure. Kyle seems nice. Besides, it’s just dinner.”
“Kyle …” He cleared his throat. “Dinner. Well that’s good, I guess. I just want to put it out there that I support you, and that as long as you’re happy, I’m happy, too.”
This was a different tune. “The old you wouldn’t put up with anything like this.”
“Well, this is the revised, upgraded version. People change, Cara, and I hope in the long run you’ll see that I have.”
“If you really mean that, then thank you. You have no idea how relieved I am. Back in the day, we’d be in the middle of a sparring match. But I’m ecstatic that it doesn’t have to come to that.”
Whenever he had seen a guy from school try to flirt with me, he would go ballistic. Countless times he had engaged in fights, and that was one of the reasons that no one fucked with me in school. The kids who dared would meet River’s wrath. Yeah, he was such punk and a kickass bad boy, but he was mine. And together, we conquered.
So much for the past. This guy had apparently had a major attitude makeover. It saddened me to see that part of him gone. At the same time, I respected his new outlook in life. It had taken courage to change, and that was something to be commended. I guessed this time he had meant it when he said he was staying in my life, circumstances be damned.
“Wow, I feel like you’re growing up this time, River,” I stated in jest, hoping to navigate our conversation to a lighter tone.
“Ha, funny, ha. Seriously, though, I may not sound it, but I just want you to be happy.”
He was hurt, his voice told me so.
“River, it’s just a date. I didn’t say I was going to marry anyone.”
“Don’t joke like that. It’s not funny to me.”
I sighed. We were in a bizarre situation, but I had made my feelings clear from the beginning. Getting back together wasn’t on the menu.
“We’re okay, though, right?”
“I am what you say I am, Cara.”
“River, you’re not making this easy.”
“Never worry about me, babe. I’ll be okay, I promise.”
“Thanks,” I said, wanting to drop the subject.
And so we carried on discussing music and the songs he had been working on. He composed a new one the other day, and he was letting me hear it for the first time. It was just like in the old days, and I couldn’t help relishing these moments, holding them close to my heart.
We were breaking a new ground, a bond that was stronger than friendship. It made me realize how amazing it was to have him in my life again. I didn’t want to lose this closeness, this bond.
//
Kyle chose the restaurant Nobu in Malibu. He had insisted on picking me up, but I wanted to meet him, just as a precaution in case I needed a speedy exit. He graciously waited for me before the maître d’ showed us our table.
He whistled as his eyes roved over me. “You look insanely stunning.”
My ensemble consisted of a champagne colored strapless mini-dress with my hair piled high, showcasing the delicateness of my neck and the soft, striking angles of my face. Pairing it with matching simple pearl studs and choker, and finishing the look with a rose gold strappy Prada heels. I dressed with the intention for this specific reaction. Hopefully, the night would transpire in the same manner.