Page 11 of I Could Never

“Well, that blows—for him.”

“Yeah. Maybe I’ll switch off with him, but we haven’t gotten that far. I’m still in shock.”

She chuckled. “I can understand.”

“The worst part is, he acknowledged that he knew I wasn’t his biggest fan. And I admitted that I knew he’d never liked me, either. So now there’s this tension between us.”

I chose not to tell her about Josh’s old text. I still had a lot of shame surrounding it, and I’d never told anyone—except Josh.

“Well, sounds like you guys have to learn to like each other if you’re gonna be living together.” She paused. “Actually, now that I know he’s there, maybeI’llpay a visit.”

“Why?”

“He’s single, isn’t he?”

“Yeah. But you don’t want to get involved with him. I wouldn’t let you. He’s a player.”

“Who says I’m interested in a relationship? The guy is gorgeous.”

I rolled my eyes.

“Are you rolling your eyes?”

I laughed.

We talked for several more minutes, until I arrived at the market and found a parking space.

“Anyway, I’d better go. I’m in front of the market and need to get coffee for Mr. Grumpypants before he has to start work.”

“That’s very nice of you, considering you don’t like him.”

“Well, I figure he’ll be even more annoying without caffeine.” I chuckled. “Plus, I sort of need it myself to be able to deal with him.”

“Keep me posted,” she said.

“You know I will.”

After I hung up, I got out and grabbed a cart, nearly crashing into someone on the way in because I was so lost in my head.

As I perused the aisles inside, I decided to be courteous and check in with Josh.

Carly: What kind of coffee do you like?

He texted back almost immediately.

Josh: Any kind is fine.

Carly: So, pumpkin spice, then?

Josh: I’m actually not in the mood to vomit today, so no. Literally anything but that. I hate pumpkin anything.

Carly: That’s why I asked. Dark Roast, Blonde Roast?

Josh: Blonde with a hint of nuttiness sounds like your speed.

Seriously?I typed faster.

Carly: Was that really necessary?