Ugh.
Why was this so hard?
Why was I overthinking every little thing?
Because you like him. Because you want to fix it. Because you like him.
Goddammit.
I quickly thumbed out another text.
I hope you’re okay after last night. If you want to talk about it, I’m here. If I did or said anything that upset you, please tell me so I don’t do it again.
I hit Send before I could second-guess myself.
Gawd. Should I give him an out? I probably should... take the pressure off him.
It’s also okay if you’d rather not talk about it. I just worried that I’d done something wrong, but maybe it’s not about me? Anyway, feel free to text me back or call. Either is fine.
I pressed Send again, hoping it sounded better.
Until I re-read it and realized I’d probably made it worse.
“Ugh,” I grumbled. “This is ridiculous.”
I thumbed out one quick and final text.
I also never got a chance to say thank you for helping me last night. You’re a good friend.
Send.
You’re a good friend.
Cripes.
I couldn’t believe I’d just texted him that.
“Why would I say that?” I mumbled, beginning to text again.
Hey, so this is now getting embarrassing?—
And Ro appeared beside me and took my phone out of my hand. “Just stop,” she said gently.
“I didn’t hit Send,” I said, trying to peer at the screen.
She held the backspace button, deleting that last line. “You can thank me later.”
I sagged with an agonized groan, giving little Merry a cuddle against my neck. “Why am I like this?”
She patted my shoulder. “The list is long.”
I snorted out a laugh. “Thanks.”
“He’ll get back to you when he can,” she said. “Now, put that little button back to bed and help me with this. We have less than five hours to get this done before their next feed, which will bring us up to a late but acceptable lunchtime.”
I whined but did as she asked.
The Christmas display for the front window had cost me a small fortune, but it was going to look amazing. There was a fine line between not overcapitalizing and overspending before the store had even opened and getting the presentation on point.
