Chapter 23
He set his card down on the table and sat down heavily on the bed. The smile had formed the minute he pulled out of the parking lot and was still there. She was different, not as standoffish as she had been in the beginning. It would seem his patience was finally being rewarded.
Her offer to come over the following evening had left him more than a little surprised. He'd been able to hide his surprise barely. Howie couldn't help feeling that he'd had some minor breakthrough although it really didn't mean much. He didn't want to get his hopes up. Reaching out, he grabbed the phone and quickly dialed, kicking his shoes off, he laid back on the bed.
"Hello?"
"Hey J, it's me."
"Hey Howie, how's it goin'?"
"Pretty good actually."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah, Jordan asked me over to her house tomorrow night."
"No shit?! Get outta here man!"
"I'm serious, so I'm more than a little excited."
"Finally wore her down huh? Well that's no surprise with you."
"I didn't wear her down, I was just patient and all."
"Yeah, I know what your patience is like. What'd ya do? Dance with her?"
Howie blushed, AJ knew him too well.
"Thought so, she didn't stand a chance against the Latin charm." AJ chuckled.
"Shut up!" Howie laughed.
"Uh huh, so anyway, when are you coming home?"
"In a few days, the weeks almost over, I'd only intended on staying a week."
"Right, we'll see how that goes."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing, nevermind. So I'll see you early next week then right?"
"Right, tell the guys I said hi."
"I will, yo, keep me updated man. This shit is like some soap opera."
"Yeah yeah, whatever. Talk to ya later."
"Bye." AJ hung up.
Howie set the phone down, staring up at the ceiling. What would tomorrow evening bring?
****
"You invited him to your house!?"
"Don't sound so shocked."
"I can't help it, I am. This is so not like you, what's going on?" Michelle asked.
"Nothing, I thought it'd be nice for the two of us to hang out a bit and whatever."
Michelle was quiet.
"What?"
More silence.
"He's a nice guy, why wouldn't I wanna hang out with him?"
"You're falling for him aren't you?" Michelle blurted out.
"What?! That's crazy!"
"Is it? Is it really?"
"Yes! Come on Michelle, I don't have time for this, I don't have time for a relationship, work is too consuming."
"You've found time here lately to hang out with him, no work involved. You could make time for this."
"This is just a friendship kinda thing, nothing else. I wouldn't be able to put myself into a commitment like that."
"You're such a bullshitter. You'd let something like this pass you by cause of work? Things like this don't happen all the time."
"I'm not a bullshitter as you like to put it. Nothing is happening Michelle, drop it."
"Hey you brought it up, you're the one who's telling me."
Jordan sighed heavily.
"Look, Jordan, all I'm saying is, be careful. It's good that you're into your job, that you like to work, but all work and no play isn't good either. Get out there, enjoy yourself. You have a great guy who's interested in you, don't mess that up. There are people who go through life waiting for something like that, for someone to come along and sweep them off their feet. Just, don't take it for granted."
Jordan was silent. She knew Michelle was right, as much as she didn't want to admit it. "Yeah, I know Michelle."
"But that doesn't mean you're gonna change, yeah, I get it."
"Michelle..."
"No, it's ok, I know Jordan. Look, I'm gonna get going. Call me and let me know how it goes ok?"
She shook her head. "Yeah, ok. Talk to ya later Michelle."
"Bye Jordan."
Jordan hung up the phone and buried her face in her pillow. She wanted to change, but could she?
