My chest fills with air, and I exhale slowly. The typing bubble appears, then disappears, and then appears again.
The moment my phone vibrates, my stomach knots.
Tess
You told me you were in love with me.
I sure fucking did.
Me
I know.
The bubbles pop up again, and this time, her message comes swift.
Tess
And?
Does she want me to pretend like I didn’t say it? Take it back? Say it again?
Me
And what?
She has me all tangled up. I can’t think straight.
Tess
Well…did you mean it?
There is no hesitation.
Of course I meant it. Can’t she feel it? It’s nearly suffocating.
Me
I don’t say things I don’t mean, Tess.
Tess
You weren’t just caught up in the moment?
I think the moment has lasted long enough, and I’m not going to pretend it’s anything less than what it is–wrong or not.
Me
I’m caught up in you, Tessa. Not a moment, not a kiss, not a fleeting glare from across the table in the middle of a meeting. Just you.
The bubble of her typing pops up again, and this time, it stays. My pulse thrums the longer she makes me wait to the point that I flick my headlights on, ready to drive over to her house.
Tess
Fine. Then we need to set some…boundaries. At least until the season is over.
Fear claws up my back.
Me
