Yesterday, 03:12 AM
Sending the message, finally, did not free her from worry as she’d hoped. Anxiety crept up her back and neck and buzzed skull like a giant hand. Unable to lie still a millisecond longer, Nika rose to her feet and began to pace. She chewed her bottom lip as though it held a list of inane tasks she could putter around doing to keep herself distracted. Would Liv answer? If she did, would the message be hateful or dismissive or…would she say never to contact her again?
Nika’s concern spiked at a sobering thought. What if Liv had already blocked her? The prospect of never seeing or hearing from Liv again was crushing. Despite the accidental circumstances of their first date and the minuscule amount of time they’d actually known each other, there had been a connection. Nika felt, no knew, the other woman was important to her. She couldn’t explain why Liv was never far from her main focus, only that she was there. That was evidenced by Nika’s unconscious pleading to the medical attendants at the Japanese Grand Prix. Olivia’s presence had become an irrefutable fact in her own mind and, according to Ducati’s PR Director, a source of endless speculation on the discussion boards.
The chime of her wallet snapped the bubble of her musing. Nika all but flew over the back of the couch to see the message. It was Liv! The adrenaline spike of hope made her heart thunder in her ears. Nika’s thumbs swiped her speedy response. She’d already looked up a place. It was past Liv’s house and in the complete opposite direction of school and the coffee shop. Nika chose the place in case Liv was done. She didn’t want her to have to constantly be reminded of hurt or perceived rejection or any other negative feelings that were all Nika’s fault every time Liv passed the place.
“Ivan’s at the corner of St. Piotr and Osenniy Boulevard?”
Nika looked at her watch out of habit despite the wallet also showing the time. Liv would likely be eating dinner soon if she was home. If she was working, well, Ivan’s was open late too.
“Are you free after dinner? Name the time.”
She willed her tense shoulders to relax as the messages sent.
Nika’s concern spiked at a sobering thought. What if Liv had already blocked her? The prospect of never seeing or hearing from Liv again was crushing. Despite the accidental circumstances of their first date and the minuscule amount of time they’d actually known each other, there had been a connection. Nika felt, no knew, the other woman was important to her. She couldn’t explain why Liv was never far from her main focus, only that she was there. That was evidenced by Nika’s unconscious pleading to the medical attendants at the Japanese Grand Prix. Olivia’s presence had become an irrefutable fact in her own mind and, according to Ducati’s PR Director, a source of endless speculation on the discussion boards.
The chime of her wallet snapped the bubble of her musing. Nika all but flew over the back of the couch to see the message. It was Liv! The adrenaline spike of hope made her heart thunder in her ears. Nika’s thumbs swiped her speedy response. She’d already looked up a place. It was past Liv’s house and in the complete opposite direction of school and the coffee shop. Nika chose the place in case Liv was done. She didn’t want her to have to constantly be reminded of hurt or perceived rejection or any other negative feelings that were all Nika’s fault every time Liv passed the place.
“Ivan’s at the corner of St. Piotr and Osenniy Boulevard?”
Nika looked at her watch out of habit despite the wallet also showing the time. Liv would likely be eating dinner soon if she was home. If she was working, well, Ivan’s was open late too.
“Are you free after dinner? Name the time.”
She willed her tense shoulders to relax as the messages sent.