“Shit. Damn. Shit,” I muttered as I fished it out.
Since the phone and case were covered in butter and popcorn crumbs, I carried it into the kitchen to clean it up before I even tried to read the text. It also gave me a minute to compose my racing heart.
Well, I tried to compose it. My heart rate hadn’t slowed much since I realized Elijah texted me.
Finally, I washed and dried my hands before I picked up my phone and clicked on the message banner.
Elijah: Whatcha doing, Brown Eyes?
Grier: Watching a scary movie and eating junk food.
Elijah: Sounds fun. Wish I was there. You could sit in my lap when you got scared.
I had to laugh.
Grier: Maybe you’d need me to comfort you instead.
Elijah: Ok. You could sit in my lap and comfort me.
I laughed again.
Grier: Do you have an obsession with me sitting in your lap?
Elijah:
Elijah: What are you doing tomorrow night? Planning the perfect murder?
Grier: Researching what causes lap-sitting obsession.
There was a long pause, and I could see the three dots moving in the bubble as he typed. Then, it disappeared. I was about to put my phone to the side when the bubble returned. A few moments later, his message came through.
Elijah: I volunteer as your research subject. I can start tomorrow night.
I bit my bottom lip as I stared down at his message. Was he implying he wanted to see me tomorrow? Before I could figure out how to word my question, my phone chimed again.
Elijah: Your place, 6 o’clock?
Okay, that was much clearer. He did want to see me. Before I could respond, another message came through.
Elijah: I imagine our first session will be overnight, so I’ll be prepared.
I snorted at the message, but excitement fizzled in my belly. This was what I hoped for after the night of Chris and Lucy’s wedding. I’d hoped it would be the start of something more. Something special.
No, wait. I couldn’t get ahead of myself just yet. He said he wanted to take it one day at a time. That wasn’t a guarantee of a relationship.
Letting myself enjoy the butterflies flitting in my belly and chest, I formulated my response.
Grier: My research will be extremely thorough, so plan for a long night.
Elijah: I’ll prepare myself. See you tomorrow, Brown Eyes.
Grier: Good night, Eli.
When I put my phone down and went back to my movie, I did it with a smile.
The next morning, I managed to drag myself out of bed and spruce myself up a little for brunch with my friends. I’d stayed up way too late watching scary movies and daydreaming about Elijah.
I really wanted to cancel and go back to bed, but this was our first friend brunch in nearly three months. Now that all my friends were happily ensconced in relationships, our twice-monthly brunches had turned to once every other month or so. Sometimes longer.
