"Two days," Dad corrects. "She'll miss my cooking."
"One day," Mom adds. "She'll need someone to talk to."
They're all grinning. My face burns but my chest aches with affection for these ridiculous people.
This is why I came home.
"Should I text River you're interested?" Ben asks, pulling out his phone.
"I can text him myself."
"Should I text Seth?—"
"Don't you DARE."
Mom stands. "If you want to take River's job, take it. If you want to see where things go with Seth—or River—or both?—"
"MOM."
"—that's your choice." She points her spoon at Ben. "And you'll support whatever she decides without commentary."
"I can't promise no commentary. Supportive commentary?"
"I'll take it."
My phone buzzes.
River:No pressure on the job offer, but if you're interested, stop by tomorrow. We can talk details. - R
Another buzz.
Seth:This is Seth. From earlier. With the coffee. Sorry if texting is weird. Just wanted to make sure you're okay after earlier today. - Seth Monroe
He signed his full name. In a text. To someone who obviously knows who Seth is.
Wait. Their names are showing up in my phone. Not just numbers.
I look up slowly at Ben. "How do they have my number? And why are they saved in my contacts?"
Ben suddenly finds his plate very interesting.
"BEN."
"I may have... given it to them?" He winces. "And maybe added their numbers to your phone when you weren't looking?"
"YOU GAVE THEM MY NUMBERANDTOOK MY PHONE?!"
"In my defense, Seth was very polite about asking, and River legitimately needs it for work purposes?—"
"That's not the point!"
Ben holds up his hands. "Look, would you rather they not be able to text you? Because you're smiling at your phone right now."
I am. Damn it.
Ben leans over, reading. "Did he seriously sign his full name? Like you know more than one Seth?"
I slam my phone down. "Not a word."
