Can I FaceTime you? Only if you promise not to freak out. Just wanna see your face for a minute.
Ali let out a soft laugh, wiping under her eyes again. Of course he would ask. Of course he’dknowshe might need a second to steady herself.
She texted back:
You’re annoying. And yes. Gimme 30 seconds. Gotta move to my room before I cry in front of Ashley.
She pushed herself off the couch, as Ashley let out a sleepyhmmphfrom the couch, and hurried toward her room with the phone cradled to her chest like it might disappear if she wasn’t holding on tight. She climbed into bed, tucked the comforter over her legs, and pulled her messy bun through the top of her scrunchie to fix it.
Then hitAccept.
Dylan’s face filled the screen— hoodie collar up around his neck, that sleepy grin tugging at his mouth.
“Hey, sweetheart,” he said, voice warm and low.
Ali melted instantly. “Hey.”
He stared at her for a second, his expression soft. “You okay?”
She nodded. “Better now.”
“You sure?” His brow creased.
“Yeah,” she whispered, smiling. “You saying ‘I’ve got you’ kind of short-circuited my brain, so… yeah.”
He laughed. “Good. That was the goal.”
She leaned her head against her pillow, the tension easing from her chest. “I think I’m just gonna spend the day vegging out with Ash. After last night…”
He nodded. “Sounds like a solid plan. Reruns and recovery?”
“Exactly.” She smiled. “Probably something chaotic and nostalgic. LikeHannah MontanaorCadet Kelly.”
Dylan smirked. “As long as you promise to send me a picture of you both wearing face masks and eating Oreos out of the bag.”
“You’re asking for a lot, sir.”
He grinned. “I miss your face.”
She looked down for a second, cheeks warm. “I miss yours too.”
A long beat of silence passed between them—comfortable this time. Full.
“I’ll let you rest,” he said gently. “Call me tonight?”
“Obviously.”
He winked. “Love you, Ali.”
Her throat tightened again—but it didn’t scare her this time.
“Love you too.”
The screen went dark as the call ended, and she exhaled, curling onto her side just as Ashley shuffled down the hall and peeked into her room.
“You decent?”
Ali laughed. “Barely.”
