Not Even Close (A New Generation) by Elizabeth Reyes (books to read in a lifetime txt) 📗

been all about not being into theboyfriend thing and it was exactly why he’d been into her to begin with.Her gut feeling that he was all for this because she wouldn’t be expecting morefrom her had been spot on. Then she had to ruin it with her weak admission thatshe missed him.

Once they’d agreed that there was no doubt about what he wasmaking clear in his text, Xochitl was livid. They’d been sitting at the kitchentable in their dorm scrutinizing the stupid text Vannah had kept to herself theentire night before.

“I’m good?” Xochitl frowned after sipping her coffee. “That’srude as fuck and I don’t like him—at all—anymore. He may as well have said—”Xochitl held her hand up in the air all animated “—Pass!”

If it didn’t hurt so much Vannah might’ve laughed at that. Instead,she pouted and to her surprise was incapable of stopping her lips fromtrembling as the warm tears filled her eyes. Xochitl immediately leaned overand patted her hand. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make light of it, honey. Guysare assholes.”

Vannah shook her head brushing away the tears with her fingers.“I just feel so stupid, is all.”

“Don’t,” Xochitl insisted. “You said the beach last weekwas incredibly romantic and then you were so caught up with him all week,you and I hardly spoke! Of course, you’d think there was more to all of this.”

“But he even made a point that night to bring up that I wasn’texpecting anything serious about this. I forced him to be this blunt.”

“No.” her adamant roomie insisted. “He didn’t have to be anasshole about it. He could’ve just said he’d already made plans. Why be soexplicit about it?

“Because after avoiding me all week and then cancelling on me, myweak ass couldn’t keep the fact that I missed him to myself.”

“And what was his response?” Xochitl arched a brow.

Vannah lifted and dropped a shoulder. “It was an obligatoryresponse. What else was he supposed to say?”

“No, he said he missed you too and he wasn’t going thewhole weekend without seeing you.” Xochitl squeezed Vannah’s arm. “I’m sure hemeant it too. He’s just a typical man whore and while he certainly wouldn’tmind having some more good time with you, he’s even making it clear he needs tosee you again soon, he just wants to make sure it’s clear and you’re okay withnot being the only one he’s spending time with.”

“Well, I’m not.” Vannah said standing up and walked her cup tothe sink. “As much as I’d like to say, I’m the kind of modern girl who can dothe fun-and-run thing without getting all hurt, clearly, I’m not. Technically I’veofficially known this guy for all of what? Just over a week and here I’mtearing up over him already. No way.” She started to rinse out her cup andclear up the other dishes in the sink. “No way can I do this. I’m done. I’mjust glad he put it out there before I was in too deep.” She turned back to Xochitlwho was still sitting at the table drinking her coffee and pouted. “My hearthurts this much already. Can you imagine if I’d slept with him? Thank GodI didn’t.”

They discussed it for just a little longer before she got the callfrom her sister. “We’re going to 5thStreet tonight. Daddy’s request.”

“What?” Vannah gasped. “What happened to Hearst Castle? I thoughtwe were doing that today?”

“Yeah, but since we’re doing Tamale Lilliana’s for dinner, hefigured we’ll be right by there.” Nena sounded a little too excited about this,while Vannah’s head was already spinning trying to come up with a good reasonto balk. “It’ll be a nice way to end the evening. We’ll take a stroll of thegym then get some epic tamales for dinner after.” Nena giggled before adding.“Daddy’s being all touristy this weekend. He said he hasn’t been to 5th Street in years. We’ll pick you up forbreakfast in about a half hour, so be ready.”

Once off the phone, Vannah begged Xochitl to help her brainstorm andcome up with a way of getting out of going. “I can’t risk seeing him. You sawme already,” Vannah pleaded, alarmed that she was feeling choked up again. “He alreadyfelt the need to be this blunt with me, can you imagine if I pathetically tearup on him?”

“No,” Xochitl shook her head holding Vannah’s arms as she lookedher straight in the eye. “If you see him it’ll be a good thing. You’ll be armedand surrounded by your family and you’ll be fine. He has plans tonight, remember?Odds are he’ll be nowhere near 5thstreet tonight but even if he is, you’re bound to run into him sooner or later.Better to get your first time having to face him out of the way this way thanif you’re alone, right?”

Vannah gulped back her emotion. Her friend had a point. Still, theywouldn’t be at Hearst Castle all day and night. They’d likely finish up midday.There was still the possibility he might hit the gym before his date tonight.The thought of seeing him, especially this soon and on the day when she knewwhat his plans were that night—because he’d made sure she did—scared thehell out of her.

“You’ll be fine,” Xochitl smiled then hugged her. “I hate that heturned out to be a jerk, but I still have my doubts about him not being totallyinto you.”

“Stop,” Vannah pulled away shaking her head. “Last thing I needis to be delusional. He’s made it clear now what he’s into and I justcan’t do that.” She wiped at the corner of her eye, hating how weak this madeher feel. “I feel stupid now that I actually thought and made him think I coulddo the just friends thing with anyone, especially someone like him. Lessonlearned. No romance for me unless I’m ready for serious. I’m just glad thedamage was this minor.”

Even as she made that last comment, she knew it was a majorunderstatement. It was just too embarrassing to admit now how quickly she’d beenswept off her feet by this guy. She hugged her friend again before trudging offto change, glad she’d already showered. As much