Magnus:Then why’d you let me follow you? Why aren’t you blocking me right now?
Another long pause. My pulse hammers.
Alaric:Goodnight, Flint.
Magnus:That dog on your page. Yours?
Dots.
Alaric:…You’re still here?
Magnus:Answer the question.
Pause.
Alaric:His name’s Butter. He’s not mine technically. He lives with my sister. I take him on weekends when she has to go out of town for work.
I smirk. Butter. Of course he has a name like that. “God, you’re cute,” I mutter to myself, but my fingers are already moving.
Magnus:Cute dog. Surprised he’s not trained to bite me by now.
Alaric:You’re drunk messaging me about my dog? Really?
Magnus:Maybe I want to know more about you. Is that a crime?
Long pause. Dots flicker. Then I decide to go for it.
Magnus:Saw you and Thorn at that charity thing on your page. You looked happy.
No reply.
Magnus:Also overheard you two this morning. The whole “just us” talk. Cheating on me already, Hale?
I know I’m pushing, but I can’t stop. The image of Kyle’s hand on Alaric’s back keeps flashing in my head like a strobe light.
Finally, he replies:
Alaric:You listen at doors now?
Magnus:When it’s about you, yeah.
Alaric:Stalker.
Magnus:Answer the question. Do you like him?
The dots blink. Stop. Blink again.
Alaric:He’s...nice.
I lean forward, elbows on my knees, phone inches from my face.Nice.That’s all he gives me.
Magnus:Nice isn’t an answer.
Alaric:You jealous?
My grin spreads, sharp and slow. He’s flirting. He doesn’t even realize he’s doing it, or maybe he does and he can’t help himself.
Magnus:I asked first.
