Page 7 of Big Stick Energy
“Clues!” DeLuca says, sounding delighted. “He or she lives in our neighborhood.”
“Right?”
“Oh, look—those shoes!” DeLuca jabs a thick finger at the photo of some sidewalk chalk, which also captures the photographer’s feet. “So this is a woman’s profile. And… don’t those look familiar?”
I squint at the photographer’s shoes. They’re cute—a pair of leopard print heels. And when something clicks, I inhale.
“Bro?” DeLuca says. “You’ve seen ’em, too, right? They’re hot.”
“Those are… Darcy has those shoes.” I can picture her in one of her pencil skirts striding into work, a leather bag over her shoulder, hips swinging. Long, smooth legs.
And those heels.
DeLuca lets out a gleeful hoot. “Holyshit! Darcy’s sliding into your DMs? Who knew she had it in her?”
I straighten up, stunned. Somehow, it’s hard to align the Darcy I saw fifteen minutes ago with this message. She wants to peel me out of my tux? What?
Unbidden, my body flares with heat.
“Except…” DeLuca takes the phone and reads it again. “Here’s the thing—this message wasn’t meant for you, dude.”
“What?” That makes no sense. And why am I suddenly offended?
“No, buddy. It’saboutyou. But it’s not meant for you to read.”
“Oh shit.” I lean in and read it again. “I see what you mean.My future ex-husband…”
DeLuca chuckles. “I like her style.”
But now I can see that he’s right—this message was probably meant for different eyes. It’s too familiar.
Besides, the time stamp is only a few minutes ago. And Darcy was practically asleep on her feet when we got off the bus. She must have made a mistake, hitting thereplybutton instead of forwarding it to… “Zoe,” I say suddenly. “She must have been talking to Zoe.”
DeLuca snaps his fingers. “Oh yeah! Totally. And you can tell it’s not the first time you’ve come up, amirite?”
Another little bomb goes off in my brain. “Darcy is attracted to me?”
DeLuca laughs. “Bro, isn’t it obvious?”
“But… she doesn’t evenlikeme.”
He laughs harder. “Um, I think she does.”
“She’s snippy with me, though.”
My buddy puts his hand on my shoulder. “Sometimes, when a kid on the playground is a little mean to you, it’s because she likes you. My mama taught me this in first grade. Got your key? It’s time for chow.”
Numbly, I check my pocket to make sure my card is still there, then shove my feet into my shoes. But my mind is still blown. “How am I supposed to play this?” I ask on the way to the elevator. “Pretend I never saw it, right?”
“Where’s the fun in that?” DeLuca demands, slapping the button to summon the car. “Invite her for a private viewing of your new tux.”
“I’m not going toembarrassher. Jesus.”
“Nah. She wants your attention,” he points out. “So give it to her. You’re in the market for a new fuck buddy. Or at least you should be. Everyone thinks so.”
I frown. And when the elevator arrives, our ride downstairs is silent.Lick him everywhereis playing on repeat in my brain. How am I supposed to forget that I saw that?
“Kinda blows your mind, doesn’t it?” DeLuca says. “So unexpected. Don’t get me wrong—she’s got that hot secretary vibe with those heels she wears. And legs for days.”
