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you later tonight then?”
    Of course he would. I couldn’t have him think I was cheating on Wesley. And I liked Jim. He was a stand-up guy. The type to grab a social misfit and swing her around the cafeteria just to make her feel wonderful about herself. In front of all the ultra-cool crowds. Yes, I needed to defend my reputation.
    “Sure.”
    I heard a groan from Natalie’s side of the car. I knew she didn’t like me very much. For what reason, I wasn’t sure. I never did anything to her. Maybe she was confusing me with Ashley. They never got along. Too much pretty in both of them. It left no room for humility.
    I went into the store as I heard the gravel turn underneath Jim’s tires. Wesley was going to kill me when I told him I was going over to the bachelor pad later.
    “Here.” He handed me a ham on rye with a skiff of mayonnaise and provolone cheese. There’s something to be said of old shoes. They knew what type of sandwich you ate and the fact that any drink with ice in it would kill your sensitive teeth.
    “Thanks. Do you want to sit down and eat it here?” I pointed over to an old wooden table by the window. Red and white cafe curtains dressed the window beside it, overlooking the front sidewalk of the store.
    “Sure. I don’t think I want to get back to the cabin any time soon. It was like a bad episode of Big Brother . Where I’m begging I’m the next one to leave the show.”
    I laughed and headed for the table. It looked as though it’d been here for some time. The wood was so worn all the grain was smoothed out—lacquered black and slick. Harder to see dirt, I supposed. I placed my sandwich down on three spread-out napkins and began to eat. The harmony of the meat and cheese made it easier to focus on my plan to see Jim later that night. And that took my mind off the mess I had made with Mark.
    “I’m going to visit Jim after dinner.” I said it under the radar of being loud enough for him to hear. Hopefully he’d just tune me out like usual, nod, and keep eating.
    “What? I don’t think so. There’s no way you’re setting one foot on that jerk’s piece of common trash land.”
    Did he just seriously say no? As if I wore a leash and Wesley was holding tight to the other end. I lay my sandwich down and got ready for battle.
    “Wesley, what is your problem with Jim? I thought it would’ve ended with high school graduation.” I wiped my mouth, hoping I didn’t just see a piece of bread fly from my mouth. “It’s not like he ever did anything to you personally.” Or had he? Wesley was getting pretty worked up over this guy.
    “Amy, I just don’t think it’s a good idea for you to go over there. It’s not the sort of partying you’re used to.” He stuffed a chip in his mouth and grabbed for his soda.
    “Well, I told him I’d go just for a minute. And Wesley, don’t tell me what I can’t do and what sorts of parties I’m used to. I’ve done a little more than you know since we’ve been apart.” I gave a two-second smirk before I took another bite of my sandwich. Give him something to ponder.
     
     

Chapter Six
     

    I punched out a message to Mark after I wrapped a towel around me. “ I promise we ’ ll talk next week when you get back. ”
    I wasn’t sure what exactly I’d say, but I figured I should say something to him. My phone only had five percent battery left from fetching all of his messages and voicemails. I thought the letter I wrote and had delivered by a stranger was sufficient: I ’ m not going with you and have a nice life. Oh by the way, you broke my heart. And why wouldn ’ t you think this was something we should discuss first before you accept a job offer … across the country! It was hard enough for me packing up and moving across town to live with you in your townhouse. Chicago? I was exasperated just thinking about the absurdity. If he only knew me. I didn’t do change very well. It takes me seven years to even rotate out shoes. And then