Imperfect Truth(38)

Ryder Matthews: So?

Ava Readsalot: I’m free.

Ryder Matthews: Great. Have you been to Excellent Dumpling House?

Ava Readsalot: WTF is Excellent Dumpling House?

Ryder Matthews: I’ll take it that is a NO.

Ava Readsalot: No, I can’t say that I’ve ever had the privilege of going to “Excellent Dumpling House”

Ryder Matthews: Don’t knock it ‘til you try it.

Ava Readsalot: Fair enough.

Ava Readsalot: Time? Location? Details…Hello???

Ryder Matthews: Impatient? 6 pm.

Ava Readsalot: That’s so far away

Ryder Matthews: Don’t worry, baby. I’m impatient to see you too

Ava Readsalot: Can I tell you something??

Ryder Matthews: Always.

Ava Readsalot: I love it when you call me baby.

Ryder Matthews: Good cause I love calling you it.

Ava Readsalot: Thank you, Ryder.

Ryder Matthews:?

Ava Readsalot: I just feel alone sometimes but then you say things like that…You will never truly understand how much you mean to me.

Ryder Matthews: You have me, and I do understand because I feel the same way.

Ava Readsalot: What do you even see in me? What do you want?

Ryder Matthews: I see everything, and I want all of you.



I’m completely caught off guard by his comment. These emotions that run through me are so powerful, I feel as though I can almost feel them heal my soul, piece by broken piece.



Ryder Matthews: Ok, baby, I’ve got to run. See you later.

Ava Readsalot: Ok xoxox



Trying to clear my mind of that wonderful and delicious conversation, I click on the email I flagged this morning for the blitz sign-up. I open the link and proceed to distract myself as I type in my straight to Kindle address and approve the author’s email in my preferred senders list. But as hard as I’m trying to move on with my day, I can’t. Every comment that has been spoken runs on replay in my mind. I reach for my phone and can’t find it.

Where the hell is it?

Oh shit. A chuckle escapes as I remember I had thrown it, and it’s lying clear across my king bed. I push the screen down on my computer and lean over to grab my phone. I dial the one person who can always find a way to help me kill time when I just can’t be productive.

“Yell-o!” Her pronunciation makes me choke on a laugh. Seriously?

“Really Jules? Yellow? Don’t you mean hello?” I say, trying to mimic the tone and inflection of her voice. “I’m sorry, but you are not some eighteen-year-old hipster from Alphabet City. You are not cool enough for hello slang.”

“I think it works.” I can’t see her, but I doubt she can keep a straight face as she speaks.

“Yeah, sooo I’m going to have to go with a noooo. No, you are not.”

“Well, I call bullshit. You have no idea what you are talking about.” I can hear the giggle in her voice.

“Are you really having this convo at work, Jules?”

“Nope.”

“Nope?”

“It’s Friday, Av. Friday. Do you even know what that means?”

“No, sorry, I’m at a complete loss. Please enlighten me, what does it mean?”

“It means I’m so not going into work.” Yeah, totally not surprised.

“I need distracting,” I whine into the phone. Can I come over? Please?” I beg, drawing out my please.

“Sure, why the hell not. This lint isn’t so entertaining.”

“Okay, I’m coming right over.”

“Desperate much?”

“Goodbye, Jules.”

“Ciao.”

I hop off my bed and pull off my silk pajama pants. As I walk, I continue to leave a trail of clothes in my wake. Silk camisole…one cashmere sock…second cashmere sock…It’s like I’m leaving messy breadcrumbs of my former self. I walk to my cabinet and pull out my favorite distressed jeans, white Converse sneakers, and a black thermal. It’s actually a wonder I still have clothes like this in my closet. Lenore would not approve. I brush my hair into a ponytail and reach across the counter to grab my toothbrush. When I’m done, I grab my cross body bag and head out the door.

I walk to Jules’s apartment.

The trees inside the park are exceptional on this spring day. The flowers are at full bloom. Tiny white flowers dance in the breeze. The fresh air rejuvenates me. This is my favorite thing about New York, just walking. Sometimes I walk with no destination in sight, just needing to clear my mind and bask in the energy of the city. As I walk toward my destination, I get lost in my thoughts. My thoughts are all over the place, drifting off to beautiful blue eyes, a wicked smile, and cinnamon spice scent. Yep, I’ve got it bad.

My thoughts wander to Alexandre. Thinking of Alexandre can wreak havoc on my day. I refuse to let that happen. Making my way into the building, I give my signature wave to the doorman. I step toward the elevator, and press the call button. Within a second I’m stepping in, the elevator door closes, I'm ascending to Jules floor. Once the elevator reaches Jules floor, the doors reopen.