“Everything’s decent,” I said, returning to the living room. “Last door straight ahead down the hall.”
With every second that she was in the bathroom, I became more and more paranoid about being in this place, about what else she might find. I remembered she mentioned coffee. Considering the cupboards were likely empty, I made a decision to get us the hell out of here. We’d passed a Starbucks around the corner on the way in. I’d suggest we go there.
When she emerged, I said, “I just remembered I’m all out of coffee. How about we head out for some before I have to take you home?”
“Okay…that would be nice. By the way, why does it smell like mothballs in this place?”
That’s a great question, Bianca George.
“I had to use them. Major moth problem.”
I fucking hated this. I would have wanted nothing more than to spend time with her in my real apartment. The next time I ever brought her back to this place, I would make sure it was inspected from top to bottom, fumigated, and stocked full of her favorite things.
Once at the coffee shop, we nestled into a corner couch and sipped our cappuccinos. She would be mid-conversation and I’d interrupt her by eating her words with a kiss. Each time I did, she’d let out a sound. I loved the feeling of her moans vibrating down my throat.
When ten-thirty rolled around, she looked at her phone. “I really have to go.”
“You can’t be a little late for your meeting with Mister Moneybags?”
“No. It’s unprofessional.”
To be honest, it irked me a little that she chose not to cancel on Dex. I actually had to remind myself that we were rooting for Dex. And by we, I meant Jay and Dex. Me. Deep down, we were both rooting for Dex. So, why was Jay fucking pissed?
I reluctantly dropped her off at her apartment before speeding back to my actual residence.
Once home, I needed to calm down before transforming back into myself. I noticed she was online and sent her a quick message.
Dex: Running a bit late. Give me ten minutes.
Without waiting for a response, I retreated to the shower and rubbed one out to the memories of her moaning into my mouth, imagining that we were doing a lot more than just kissing.
My release had brought me a moment of clarity.
Dex needs to win Bianca over from Jay.
As fucked-up as that sounded, if she liked real me more than the fake me, it gave me a better shot at her accepting that real me was worth looking past all the lies I’d told. Maybe I was fucking delusional in addition to being newly schizophrenic. But at this point, it was the only plan I had. I needed to at least start to feel her out.
Dex: Hello, Bianca. I’m here now. Sorry about the delay. How has your evening been?
Bianca: It was very good, thank you.
Dex: What did you do?
Bianca: I had a date, actually.
Dex: A date that ended before eleven? Couldn’t have been very good.
Bianca: My work takes priority.
Dex: I still maintain that it could have been better if you chose not to blow me off.
Bianca: It was amazing, actually.
It was amazing. I could still taste her on my tongue. And there were still so many more places I wanted to taste her.
Bianca: Are you there?
Dex: Yes. Tell me about your date. What was so amazing about it?
Bianca: Well, you know how with most people, you spend a little time with them and the puzzle pieces fall into place? You sort of get the full picture after you connect a few of the odd shapes?
Dex: I suppose.
Bianca: I feel like this guy is a ten-thousand-piece puzzle, and it’s going to take a long time to see the picture.
Dex: And that’s a good thing?
Bianca: It is. It means he has many layers.
I wasn’t sure I agreed with her. The thing she liked best about Jay was his layers—but most of them were bandages to cover lies.
Dex: Tell me what you liked best about him?
Bianca: You want the truth?
Dex: Of course.
Bianca: The way he kissed me. I could feel he was trying to hold back—but at some point, he lost the battle. I liked that his attraction to me seemed to be uncontrollable. It made me feel sexy.
I had to laugh to myself. I’d thought I was doing such a great job hiding what being around her did to me. I guess I was way more transparent than I thought.
Bianca: BTW, I think we have our roles reversed tonight. I’m the one who is supposed to be interviewing you.
Dex: I find hearing about you way more interesting than telling you about myself.
She was quiet for a minute or two after that. I knew I shouldn’t be pushing, but what the fuck—I was in this deep.
Dex: Are you and this jigsaw dating exclusively?
Bianca: No. We’re not there yet. I don’t have any dates with other men planned, but that’s not intentional.
Dex: So, if say, a handsome, young, wealthy man with a six pack were to ask you out on a date, you’d be open to the invitation, then?
Bianca: Are you referring to yourself?
Dex: Maybe…
I waited eagerly for her response. When it came, my stomach sank.
Bianca: Then, no.
My mood sucked after that answer. I was pissed and just wanted to get the rest of our chat over with. She had no interest in the real me and would rather spend time getting to know a man who lived in his dead aunt’s apartment and whittled.
Dex: Why don’t we get started with your interview?
For the next thirty minutes, Bianca asked me questions. Since I was feeling ornery, my answers were less candid than I’d been the last two times we’d chatted. Toward the end, she mentioned she was going to be away on a business trip and planned to use the time to go through her notes and write up a draft of her story. She’d suggested we chat next week so that she could fill in any holes in her story, and I’d agreed.
Dex: How about next Tuesday at our regular time?
Bianca: That would be great.
Dex: Have a safe trip, Bianca.
Bianca: Thank you.
Feeling utterly deflated, I was just about to shut my laptop when another message popped up from her.
Bianca: Dex? Are you still there?
Dex: I am.
Bianca: For the record, I have a firm rule that I don’t date men anymore whom I have a business relationship with.
Dex: Does that rule apply after your business with a man concludes?
She took a bit longer to respond that time.
Bianca: No. I don’t think that rule would apply once my business was concluded.
Fuck you, Jay. Game back on.
Dex: Good to know. Sweet dreams, Bianca.