pulse had just increased exponentially. “He was impressed with what he saw on his visit. And we need all the help we can get.”
She kept talking, but my head was filled with Rocco. Just the thought of him all businesslike in his suit—those blue eyes raking over me—made my blood boil. I never fucking learned.
I cringed thinking of that text I’d sent him the other night. I’d been freaking out and instead of leaving shit alone I’d sent the mother of mixed signals. I was beginning to think that dating a man-child on and off for so many long years had left me emotionally stunted, and Rocco was taking the brunt of it.
“Julia.” I jumped, which I’m sure looked totally normal to Gail. “Are we good, then?”
I nodded and stood up, trying hard to present her with my most reassuring face possible. “Yes, of course. I’ll make sure they have a good visit.”
Like I had a choice. I stood up and walked my ass back to my cube with my phone already out, calling all the program staff who were involved in the academy. I’m sure they’d be less than thrilled to hear that we’d have to set up yet another dog and pony show for this IPO debacle. My Thanksgiving weekend of solitude could not come soon enough.
Chapter Fourteen
Rocco
Who else is up for the wine and beer Thanksgiving event at the arboretum? I think it’s like a pumpkin patch but with booze.
I had to reread that statement before I sent it to the group, just to give myself a moment to digest I’d actually typed that for other people to see.
I, Rocco Quinn, hailing from Queens, New York, was actively trying to get people into the idea of going to a pumpkin patch. I’d seen a tweet from the Dallas Arboretum advertising some kind of wine and beer event that involved hanging out in a field of squash and had retweeted it tagging the exiles. Did I give a single fuck about pumpkins or even had a clue what people got up to in a patch full of them?
Short answer: NO.
But I was desperate to hear from Julia, since she’d pretty much iced me out after that group-text fiasco. And that should’ve been the end of it. But fuck, I liked this woman. Seeing her all week and having to keep it all casual after I knew what she tasted like had been torture. And even though everything about this plan was stupid, I kept staring at my screen waiting for notifications.
“We should be there in twenty minutes.” I looked over at the driver who had just spoken to me, and my nervousness went on overdrive.
My other reason for cooking up this pumpkin patch façade was my way of trying to feel out Julia’s mood. I was en route to her program for the visit with the Twins and feeling like I should’ve given her a heads-up. Not that I even knew what to give her a heads-up about.
I looked at my vibrating phone and saw that everyone, except Julia, had responded to my text.
José: Look at you planning and organizing fall-themed outings! I’m down, I have a new burnt-orange sweater I’ve been wanting to feature.
Tariq’s message came like three seconds after José’s (not surprising).
Tariq: Do we have to eat the pumpkins? Why are people getting their drink on around a bunch of them tho? Texans are wild.
I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing.
Salome: I have all the same questions Tariq has, but you people are my only friends and I have nothing going on. At least I will have an excuse to wear my orange Gatorade Js.
Dani just sent a thumbs-up emoji. Still nothing from Julia.
I should’ve given her another minute, but since my desperation was in overdrive these days I broke down after thirty seconds, and asked her directly. Even though I knew this was a sure way to earn some serious ridicule from Tariq and Dani.
Rocco: No love for the pumpkin patch from you, Julia?
After a few seconds the circle with her face on it started bobbing as she wrote a response, while my heart pounded like I was waiting for a life-or-death answer.
Julia: @ Rocco... A. If I see you and I don’t tweet, that means I don’t fux with you. B. I’m working, people. Rocco, you know I’m pressed today. Don’t you motherfuckers have jobs?!
I felt a little guilty that I was bothering her when I knew she had to be