12 Days of Forever(35)

“What’s going on with you?” Katelyn asks.

My eyes fling open. “What do you mean?”

Katelyn turns to face me. “I know I don’t know you very well, and honestly I’m out here because Harrison said you needed girl time. Jenna and I like our girl time so I told him we’d come check on you.”

“How’d you know where I was?”

“Xander knew,” Jenna adds with a shrug. How did he know? Was he following me?

“Harrison thinks you’re acting strange, and that it has something to do with my question earlier. I didn’t mean to put you on the spot or anything. You and Xander just looked really comfortable together.”

“It’s fine,” I tell her. I’m not angry or embarrassed. Xander is a catch and wouldn’t be single if he lived in New York or even California. Guys like him, genuine and caring, are hard to come by in the big city.

“He likes you.” I look at Jenna who shrugs. “He told Jimmy, or that’s what Jimmy said.”

I roll my eyes. “Jimmy is full of shit, always has been. Xander and I are just having fun.”

“Is that all you’re having?” Katelyn asks. Her voice is hushed as if someone could hear her. I look around to see who is lurking, but spot no one.

“Jimmy said you recently broke up with your boyfriend,” Jenna adds.

“His name is Oliver, and he’s my producer as well. We’ve been off and on for a while, and I just made it off.” I take a deep breath and center myself. “Things with Oliver were good in the beginning. I thought I was in love, but the more time we spent together the more I realized he wasn’t the right man for me. Breaking up though, it’s not that easy when you work with someone. We’d get into a fight, and I’d suddenly be too fat and my hair wasn’t done right.

“Oliver likes to manipulate me and used my spot as the lead to get me to do what he wants and that’s being with him. When I broke up with him this last time, I boarded a plane. He hasn’t called or texted so I figured he got the gist.”

“Is that why you’re here and not back in New York, which I might add completely threw your brother for a loop when he saw you guys walk in tonight?” Katelyn asks.

My shoulders shrug. “I got a text from a friend about Oliver and I thought ‘why waste my time’ and happened to catch Xander before he got too far from the airport. He asked me to be his date tonight.” I trail off, my voice seems sad and I’m not sure why that is.

“So, what’s the problem?” Jenna asks. Maybe it’s obvious to her that something is wrong. I just don’t know what.

“I’m not sure,” I say, honestly. “If I could clone myself, I would. I’d go back to New York and stay here and see where things go.”

“With Xander?” Katelyn asks.

I nod. “Xander is different. Even in the week we’ve been hanging out, he treats me better than Oliver. But he’s here,” I say, with a shrug.

The door opens and we all turn our heads. I glance at Katelyn and Jenna, who are both trying to see back inside.

“You guys go on; I’ll be there in a minute.”

“You sure?” Katelyn asks with a sisterly concern.

“Yeah, I’m good.”

As soon as the door shuts, the muffled sound of my cell phone can be heard. Unzipping my clutch, I can’t help but smile at the thought of Xander calling me. He must’ve seen the girls walk back in and wonder about me. I wouldn’t mind if he came out here, we could have some fun. I fumble getting my phone out and end up answering before I can see his face on my screen.

“I’ve been waiting for you. There’s a nice wall out here that has our name on it.”

“Does it now? And where would such a wall be since you’re clearly not in your apartment?”

I close my eyes at the sound of Oliver’s voice and mentally curse my stupid clutch for being just a smidge too small to hold my phone. My heart beats loudly, echoing in my ear.

“Yvie, answer me.”

I don’t want to, but he knows I will. “I’m in Beaumont.”

“You were due home the day after Christmas. Clearly, you’ve met someone.”

I bite the inside of my cheek and nod knowing he can’t see me. “It’s none of your business. We broke up, and you moved on.”

“On the contrary, my lovely, little ballerina. You tried to break up with me, but I won’t allow it and I don’t know what Lindsay told you, but she’s mistaken.”