Page 106 of Don't Be in Love

“Of course I am! I’m not impending on your vacation just because I’m alone. Mia will be home in a few days for New Year’s Eve anyway.”

“I guess we’ll be back not too long after that.”

We.

“Is Dorian with you?” I couldn’t help but ask. I bit my tongue, praying I wasn’t on speaker phone.

“Yeah, he’s sitting with my mother right now—we’re at dinner together. I needed a break from all the scheduling, so I left him to listen to plans about The January while I stand outside pretending that I got a call.” He laughed. It sounded like he was turning his head to look.

“What’s happening in January?”

“TheJanuary.”

“Is that how we’re talking now?”

“It’s an annual ball. You haven’t heard of it?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“It’s the only gala in London that happens in January, hence the name. It raises money for fashion museums throughout the UK. You really haven’t heard of this?”

“No James,” I laughed. “I’m not part of the underground exclusive cult this entire university is in. Continue. Explain on.”

“Fine, fine. My mum and Mrs. Blackwood are both on the board of the Art and Fashion Legacy of London so they’re in charge of planning it. It’s the first Friday of January so every Christmas they’re running around with their phones attached to their heads making phone calls.”

“You sound thrilled about this.”

“Ironically, I do enjoy it. It’s hosted at an art museum so it’s quite beautiful. But being dragged into calling the caterer and helping make the guest lists? Not my favorite pastime. Wait—you’ll come right?”

“I’m only just hearing of it now! I’ll think about it.”

The idea of seeing Dorian for the first time in a public space after kissing him sounded … risky. I couldn’t even think about him in solitude without my stomach twisting into complicated, unforgiving knots.

“I’m putting you on the guest list. Mia and Sabrina too.”

“I’m so grateful that you’re always looking out for my schedule.”

“It’s before the semester even starts so you won’t have any impending work. And you owe me a dance from Halloween anyway.”

“Fine, you caught me! I’m available, I’ll come!”

“Thank god because I wouldn’t survive an event without Adelaide Adorno.”

“I’m sure I’ll be so much help,” I said sarcastically.

“Your company will be, trust me.”

There was a comforting lull that passed between us. One that was soft enough to push my eyes closed.

“Alright, I have one more call before I fall asleep. Send me all the details and we can talk about it more when you get back,” I said.

I hung up and searched for the number that sat at the bottom of my contact list but at the top of my mind. I pressedCallbefore I could second guess it and back out in the morning, knowing Maureen would be proud of me.

“Hi Laila. Do you have time for those questions?”

By the time our call finished, that vault tucked away in the back of my brain relaxed a bit more. It was awkward talking to her. Between fumbling over each other’s words and trying to fill the silent gaps so that we stayed on the topic of cover letters, I was tired, filled with an anxious buzz. Especially when she asked if we could talk again next week. I agreed, thinking that if I said no, I’d regret it.

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