"NIKKI!", you hear over and over blaring from your phone. You pick it up, "Huh?". "What happened? You ok?", Cherry asks concerned. "He...he...uh...sent me room service", you state in disbelief still staring at the plane ticket. "Well, at least he fed you this time. You fucked him didn't you? I know you did. Can't say that I blame you...". You don't hear a word she said as you cut her off, "He left me a plane ticket to LA...". Your voice just trails off. Cherry is silent for a moment. "He loves me Cherry. He said he loves me too", you ramble getting excited. "A plane ticket? Damn!! You must've put it on him...hold up...wait a minute. TOO?! Nikki, PLEASE tell me you didn't tell him you loved him. Please tell me you're smarter than that". You are silently smiling. You don't care what she thinks. Philip said he loves you too and wants to see you. "You are the smartest dumb person I've ever met in my entire life". Again not listening you reply, "Thank you". You are floating on cloud nine. "I should call him and thank him for breakfast and the ticket", you continue babbling. "Uh Nikki, you ain't seriously thinking about going though, are you?", Cherry asks already knowing the answer. "Let me call you back Cherry". "You are something else heifer. You seriously gonna go to LA aren't you?". "Cherry I love you and I'll call you back. Bye!". You hang up and dial Philip. The phone goes directly to voicemail. "Hey...good morning Philip", you start smiling so hard your ears are wet. "I wish you could've moved your flight back but I understand. Thank you for breakfast." You giggle, "You don't forget anything do you? It looks delicious". You are silent for a moment. "I got the plane ticket as well. Thank you. We can talk about it later. Traveling mercies Baby. Get home safely. Love you". You hang up still smiling. Sitting down on the bed you grab your coffee and sip happily.
You are back home unpacking when there is a knock at your door. Before you can make your way to the door, you hear a key turning. 'Cherry', you think to yourself. You hear her come in, close the door and immediately start in on your broken promise. Entering the doorway to your bedroom she mocks, "I promise to guard my heart". Rolling your eyes, the thought of changing your locks runs briefly through your mind. "Don't start", you state not even bothering to look up. She plops down on your bed trying to force eye contact. You don't acknowledge her and continue to unpack. "Look at you. All glowing and shit". You let a small smile slide across your lips. "Uh huh, keep ignoring me. I know you slept with him Nikki. You don't have to admit it. I hope it was worth it". You hang your dresses up to take to the cleaners and continue to ignore her. "So, what did he say when you called?", she asks laying across your bed. You sigh, "He didn't pick up and he hasn't returned my call". You're trying to conceal the hurt. You don't wanna hear 'I told you so'. Your heart can't take it right now. Cherry sits up, "Oh, he probably still on the plane. I'm sure he'll call you when he lands". You breathe a sigh of relief. That thought hadn't crossed your mind. I mean with his previous track record of love 'em and leave 'em, who would blame you? You are finished putting everything away and Cherry is patiently waiting for you to spill the beans. You sit on the bed and stare off. "Well...", she insists. You roll your eyes and head to the kitchen. You come back and plop down on the bed with 2 wine glasses and a bottle of merlot. "Where do I start...".
It's Tuesday evening and you still haven't heard from Philip. You are having that feeling of déjà vu. You hate yourself for falling for him AGAIN. You text Cherry, 'U were rite. I shoulda listened'. 'It's only been 2 days. Chill! He's prob just settling in'. You want to believe her. You start digging for a semblance of hope at the bottom of the pint of Talenti Tahitian Vanilla Bean Gelato you've been demolishing. You don't find it. You have to work in the morning so you drag yourself to bed. You toss and turn. 10:33pm. 11:01pm. 12:17am. You're still wide awake. You sit up and reach for the bottle of Benadryl just as your phone rings. You glance at it, it's Philip. You think of letting it go to voicemail but decide to answer it and see what he has to say. "Hello", you answer with no emotion whatsoever. "Hey beautiful", he starts. You cut him off, "It's late. What do you want?". There is a moment of silence on the other end. "Oh damn! I keep forgetting that you're 3 hours ahead of me. Baby Girl I'm sorry. It's after midnight where you are, right?". You don't answer. "I'm sorry I'll call you back tomorrow". You still don't answer. "Nikki? You still there?". "Yeah, I'm here", you answer standoffishly. Philip notices. "You ok? Did I wake you?". "No". He sighs, "What did I do this time? I swear Nikki I did EVERYTHING I could to get another flight. I swear! I knew you'd think about the last time but I swear I didn't have a choice...". He's rambling. You stop him, "Stop. Just stop talking Philip". "Ok", he agrees quietly. "I called you Sunday morning and you're just now returning my call". "Baby, I...". "I'm NOT finished! You leave me a plane ticket to LA and write 'I love you too' but yet it takes you TWO DAYS to return my call. And I'm supposed to believe things are different than before?" "Nikki, I'm sorry the flight got back late and I had a couple meetings with the label. I was going to call you back as soon as I got the chance". "Don't play with me Philip. I hate it when people lie to me!". "I'm not lying! I swear!". "Look, if I'm just your 'DC chick' then be honest with me and tell me. I'm a big girl. I can take it". "Nikki, stop it. You know you mean more to me than that". "Do I?". "Yes you do". Silence creeps onto the line. He sighs and whispers, "...I'm falling in love with you". Your face flushes. Hearing him say the words causes tingles to sprint down your spine. "I want to see you. That's why I left you the ticket". You are silent. "When can you come out?". "I don't know, Philip. I have to see", you whisper. "Ok. I understand. Well, I'll let you get to sleep. Good night Baby Girl", he whispers. "Good night Philip". You hang up and immediately drift off to sleep.
