Page 75 of This Could Be Us
This woman is an electric storm, but I have no caution and don’t want shelter. Her lashes fall to cover the heat in her eyes, but Ifeelit between us. It takes all my willpower not to haul her close. Not to kiss and claim her. Just when I think I’ll have to do it because the desire is so overwhelming, she steps back. Her breasts rise and fall with stilted breaths, and she takes the few swift strides from the center of the foyer to the door.
She jerks the door open and doesn’t look back, but says, “Don’t stop.”
And walks out the door without another word. She races down the steps to her SUV, hops in, and drives away.
“Oh, don’t worry, Sol.” I take another swig of my beer, barely registering that in the next room, the Bulldogs just scored. “I won’t.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
SOLEDAD
Hang out with me for a spell while I work on my she shed.”
I smile into the camera and into my phone. I’m live on one platform, but I’m also recording myself now to edit later for YouTube. A year ago, I didn’t know how any of this could actually equal a paycheck. Now I understand sponsored ads and brand deals and all the things that seemed like another world not long ago. Itwasanother world, one where Edward paid our bills and I didn’t have to think about any of that.
I like this world a lot better.
“If you’re new to me,” I say, leaning against my worktable, “I’m renovating the storage shed in my backyard. It was my ex-husband’s man cave.” I roll my eyes and angle an exasperated look to the camera that every woman who has ever had a trifling man will understand. “Long story, but I’m taking it over and reclaiming it. He had all his Boston Celtics stuff here.”
I gesture behind me to the space missing chunks of plaster and drywall.
“As you can see, I got an early start on the demolition. I’m gonna do a little work for my accent wall. Maybe paint it like a seafoam green. Any thoughts for color?”
I point down.
“Leave them in the comments.” I glance up at the ceiling. “I know I’m putting in a skylight. I want it brighter in here.”
I stomp the floor a few times with one sneaker. “Definitely taking up this nasty dookie-colored carpet. Maybe some engineered hardwood. I could make this my office. I think I might get a desk in here.”
I walk over to a corner occupied by a leather recliner.
“I could make this my reading corner.” I squee and wiggle my fingers. “Almost forgot. We have our first book club pick. It’sAll About Loveby bell hooks. I’ll be meeting in person with a few friends to discuss, but I’ll come on here to do a live discussion with you guys who read along too.”
I walk over to my phone so I can read the comments in real time, a smile blooming on my face.
“I feel you, 492GirlGetAGrip. I haven’t read as much lately as I’ve wanted to either, so this is a perfect opportunity for us both.”
I squint at the comments, making sure I’m reading the next one right.
“ComeHithah2004 says, ‘we love a reading-ass bitch.’ Girl, you always crack me up.” I grin and shake my head, moving on to the next comment. “ViralVixin says, ‘I went to dinner by myself this week and had a great time.’”
I lift my arms like it’s a touchdown. “That’s incredible! Love that for you!”
Four more commenters say they went on solo dates this week.
“This is great. After my solo anniversary date, I decided I’ll take myself out once a week. You wanna join me?”
So many comment “Yes” and “For sure” and “I’m in” that I lose count. Someone comments “#datingmyselfchallenge.”
“Oh, I love that!” I say. “Hashtag datingmyselfchallenge. Let’s do it. AndAll About Loveis the perfect book for us to start. It’s about loving yourself and healing yourself. At least that’s what I think it’s about. I’m gonna read some tonight. We’ll find out together, huh?”
I grab my safety goggles and turn up the music on my pill, the wireless speaker blasting Backstreet Boys’ “I Want It That Way.”
“Any BSB Army out there?” I ask, chuckling as I check my table saw.“I’mma ride this playlist till I’m done in here. I want to get some of this finished before I have to start dinner. It’s Taco Tuesday. The link to a supersimple recipe that my girls love is in my bio. I substitute meatless beef for the vegetarian in my bunch. I swear you won’t be able to tell the difference.”
I pull my goggles down.
“This she shed is on my Me List,” I tell them, “which is a list of things I’m doing solely for my enjoyment. Not about my job or my kids or my friends or my family. Just for me.”