Me:It was okay… just worked mainly, and then I sent Nate home to shower and hopefully eat. He seems to be going… downhill.
I hit send and wait for him to reply as I lift my leg and watch the droplets of water and bubbles drip from my skin. It always seems so sexy when the women do it in the movies, but I feel awkward as shit.
My cell beeps, and I bring it up to check his reply.
Matt:Made him a big dinner, and we actually talked for a bit. He’s quiet, but he seems okay. Thanks for checking in on him.
Sighing, I feel lighter knowing Nate’s got Matt in his corner. It’s nice to see he’s supported both at home and at work.
Me:Of course. I’m glad you’re with him too — between the two of us, he doesn’t stand a chance.
Matt:Haha, fair. So… how’s it going with Logan?
Me:Good. Slow, but good. We’ve been talking all day… mostly about balls… don’t ask.How’s things with Jaci?
Matt:Okay, but now I have to ask about the ball convo.Things with Jaci are actually going really well. Sounds weird, but I kinda feel a connection with her? Like, legit connection.
Opening my eyes wide, I take a deep breath. I feel a little weird reading that. But I’m not sure in what way. I’m happy for Matt, but at the same time, I feel like I want to keep him all to myself. It’s an odd feeling. I know that when Jaci and Matt finally meet, if they hit it off, our friendship will eventually fade, and it’s only just beginning. I want to spend more time with Matt before I lose him to Jaci or someone else, if it’s not her. This feeling is foreign to me. I have friends, lots of them, but none I’ve ever felt so protective over.
I type out a reply, but before I can send it, another message pops up, this time, I assume it’s Logan. My head’s hazy from the warmth of the bath, the scent of lavender, the music, the way the candlelight dances across the water. I don’t even glance at the name. I just see the words.
Message:You’ve been on my mind all night…Can’t stop thinking about your smile.
A flutter moves through me. My lips curve. My body reacts before my brain does, warmth creeping across my chest and down my stomach. My thumbs hover as I reply.
Me:Oh yeah? Maybe you’ll have to do something about that next time we see each other.
Another message pings through almost immediately.
Message:Bold. Didn’t think you had that side in you.
I laugh softly, sinking deeper into the bubbles, the steam curling against my skin. My heart beats faster—not from the heat, but from the words.
Me:Guess you just bring it out of me.
His next message lingers on the screen, and it’s the kind that hits low, teasing but charged.
Message:I’ll take that as a compliment. You always know how to keep me on my toes.
I stare at the text a moment too long. It feels different—less performative than Logan usually sounds. There’s something more grounded, more…real. Still, I type back, lost in the rhythm of it, letting the warmth in the room blur the edges of logic.
Me:You like that, huh? Maybe I like surprising you.
Another ping.
Message:Maybe I like being surprised. Especially when it’s you.
My breath catches slightly at that. I bite my bottom lip and type back, fingers moving before I can second-guess it.
Me:Careful… you keep saying things like that and I might think you’re flirting with me.
Three dots. He’s typing. Then…
Message:What if I am?
That one hits me low. It’s suddenly harder to swallow, harder to ignore the heat blooming under my skin.
Me:Then maybe I should flirt back.
