My phone buzzes on the nightstand, and I see Elijah’s name on the caller id.
I pick up my phone and open the text messaging app.
Did you get home okay?
I stare at his question and slowly start to type.
Yeah, I’m home.
The little dots come up, letting me know he’s texting something else, but then quickly they disappear.
I sit up in bed and stare at my phone, waiting, yearning for another text. When nothing comes, I type out something really fast.
“I’m sorry…” I type and then quickly erase it. I’m about to put the phone down when a text comes through.
What were you typing?
My eyes widen. He saw me, just like I saw him.
You go first. You were typing something and then nothing came.
A few seconds go by and then the text comes through.
I just wanted to make sure you were okay.
I clench my eyes shut and shake my head. He’s worried about me, and who knows why? Because I’m his employee? His best friend’s little sister? Or he’s regretting hiring me and worried I’mgoing to bring drama to his office? Ugh, it could be a hundred different reasons.
Yeah, I’m okay. I’m going to bed. See you in the morning.
I turn my ringer off, then plug my phone back in and force my attention off my screen.
The more that Elijah shows he cares for me, the harder it is for me to distance myself from him. It would be so easy to get all in my feels with him, but that would just be nonsense.
Sleep doesn’t come easily. I can’t stop thinking about the flowers, the card, the way Elijah reacted to it all.
I tell myself it didn’t mean anything.
Elijah is loyal. Protective. A good guy.
My phone lights up again.
I tell myself to ignore it, but seconds later, I’m grabbing it off the end table and hungrily reading the text from Eli.
I just want you to know that I care about you.
That’s it. There’s nothing. No reasoning or anything to explain the random thought.
Why?
His response is quick and vague.
Because I do.
Another pause, longer this time, and then another text comes through.
Get some rest, Sam. Call me if you need anything. ANYTHING!
I sigh and type.
