Cordelia makes a sound of pure exasperation. “So this is why our moms started matchmaking.”
“Your moms did what?”
“Nothing.” Cordelia waves. “Fine. I heard you. You and Nathan are just good friends. Practically siblings. No feelings on either side. I completely made up the yearning I saw in his eyes and the care I saw in yours. It was a sugar high.”
“I mean…”
“Don’t worry. I’ve given up. I’m not going to meddle anymore.”
Cordelia starts walking to her apartment with both hands in the air as if I have a gun on her.
I scrunch my nose because she’s giving in too easily and something tells me that she’s not the type to let go without a fight. “Whatever you’re thinking right now… please don’t. Justdon’t.”
Her keys rattle in the lock and she winks at me before diving inside and shutting the door.
Okay then.
I trod inside my apartment and resist the urge to faceplant into the couch. It’s been a long day. However, I resist the calling of the couch and dutifully shower and get ready for bed.
Minutes later, I exit the bathroom with steam rolling all around me, my wet hair in a towel and my comfortable jammies on. I pick up my phone so I can do some late-night scrolling and notice a notification at the top of my screen.
Nat: Are you still at the garage?
Riley: I got home already. I forgot to text you.
Nat: I almost drove out there with my hockey stick.
Riley: You thought I got kidnapped by hockey pucks?
Nat: You don’t know how conniving pucks can be, Riles. Someone’s gotta protect you.
Chuckling, I carry my phone to the bed and lie flat on my belly with my feet swinging.
Riley: I can take care of myself.
Nat: Just because you can doesn’t mean you should have to.
A flush starts in the center of my chest and spreads upward.
Cordelia’s words echo back to me. ‘It’s obvious that he likes you’.Is she right? Can I dare to hope that Nat isn’t just being nice to me out of familiarity and history?
Riley: I bet you say that to all the girls.
Was that too flirty? I see him typing and my breath gets trapped in my throat.
Then the bubble disappears.
He doesn’t answer for thirty full ‘Mississippi’s.
I’m about to type him and make some kind of joke to change the subject when my phone chirps.
Nat: You and ‘other girls’ are in two separate categories.
Oh my goodness.
Is that… I mean… is he saying I’m special to him?
What do I say back? Is this really happening? Am I passed out on my bed at this very moment, inventing this entirescenario, only to wake up tomorrow morning and realize I was drooling into my pillow the entire time?
