Imperfect Truth(37)

Ryder Matthews: : )

Ava Readsalot: Whenever u want. I just want to make u happy.

Ava Readsalot: To be completely honest???

Ryder Matthews: Yes, always.

Ava Readsalot: Your happiness is all that’s really important to me these days.

Ryder Matthews: You’re a good girl. Anyone ever told you that?



I smile and reposition the computer higher up on my lap to get more comfortable.



Ava Readsalot: Yeah. Once or twice LOL

Ryder Matthews: Well, you are.

Ryder Matthews: Ava, it’s exhausting thinking of you too.

Ava Readsalot: We can remedy that…

Ryder Matthews: hmmm, and how would we do that?

Ava Readsalot: You know how, SILLY!

Ryder Matthews: DO I????

Ava Readsalot: Fine. Not going to tell you!

Ryder Matthews: Tease!

Ava Readsalot: Meet me *begs*



I actually pout my lip as if he can see…Weirdo.



Ryder Matthews: I like it when you beg.

Ava Readsalot: HAHA, no, seriously though.

Ryder Matthews: Ava, I’m on a deadline.

Ava Readsalot: :-

Ryder Matthews:??? What the hell is that supposed to be ^^^ lmao

Ava Readsalot: Oops, hit enter too soon. HA

Ryder Matthews: You call me silly? Me thinks YOU are the silly one.

Ava Readsalot: This is me being sad :-(

Ryder Matthews: aw, poor baby :- (

Ava Readsalot: Put me out of my misery… *begs again*

Ryder Matthews: I really like this begging. *considers changing my mind*

Ava Readsalot: paaalease

Ryder Matthews: LMAO ok, ok, fine.

Ava Readsalot: God I <3 U!!!!



I stare at my computer, shit, shit, shit. Why the fuck is there not an erase button on PM. Oh God. Dying a mortified death.



Ryder Matthews: Ditto



Ditto? Ditto? He hearts me, too? Oh my God…I’m pathetic. I look over the exchange and realize I’m certainly no longer a twenty-nine-year-old college graduate. I’ve just reverted back to sixteen. I’m so pathetic. Happy, but pathetic. My mood is so light, I feel as though I’m floating. The smile doesn’t play on my lips, it takes over my whole face. I’m sure my blue eyes are sparkling in delight.



Ava Readsalot: Ok so where and when?



Great, now I sound desperate. Okay, I’m desperate. I can pretend all I want.



Ryder Matthews: What about dinner?

Ava Readsalot: Hold

Ryder Matthews: O-K…



I reach for my phone and dial Alexandre’s number.

“Alexandre Harrison, here.”

“Alex, it’s me.”

“Oh, what’s up?”

“Hi to you too, Alex.”

“Actually, Ava, I don’t believe you said hi, either.”

I place my fist to my mouth and hold back the scream that threatens to expel. “Oh God, really?”

“Can we please make it through one conversation without a fight?” He says in an undertone. Someone must be in his office.

“This isn’t a fight, Alexandre. You will know when we’re fighting.”

“Okay. What’s up?”

“Will you be home for dinner?” My words are toneless. I bite back all my emotions to make it through this conversation.

“Actually, I was just about to call you. I’m going out for dinner with Nat.”

“What?” I say tightly.

“Nat and I are having dinner. She wants to discuss some business with me.”

My blood is boiling; I know exactly the type of business she wants to “discuss.”

“What business, Alexandre?” The words sound rough in my ears.

“Well, I don’t know. Hence the dinner.”

I pull the phone away from my ear and stare at it perplexed. He is going to dinner with her. What the fuck? Breathing in, I try to calm my nerves.

Inhale.

Exhale.

“Hello? Are you still there?” he questions.

“Yeah, okay well…” I pause trying to think of something to say. “Oh, can you grab milk on your way home?”

"Why do I always have to grab it? That's kind of your job. It's not like you work."

My face contorts, my mouth gapes in disbelief. Are you kidding me? I need to hang up before I scream. The anger inside me is all-consuming.

Inhale.

Exhale.

“Okay, well I guess I will see you later,” I murmur into the phone.

“Is everything else okay, Ava? You seem out of sorts.”

“Wow, really? You seem out of sorts? God,” I growl into the phone. “Fine, I’m fine.”

“Is everything okay with your mom?”

I can’t believe he can switch gears like this and pretend to care. I want to spew anger at him but opt to just get off the phone.

“Yes, Alexandre. Okay, well I guess I will see you later then.”

I hear him start to say the word ‘bye,’ but I hang up before he can complete his dismissal of me.

I throw my cell phone across the bed and scream so loud I swear Raymond the doorman will call the police to come check on me. The anger that fills my veins is venomous. Pure undiluted hatred.