I couldn’t decide if I was a genius or an idiot for sharing the fun fact I was painfully single.
11:33 – My culinary masterpiece is hot
dogs and beans
Thank goodness for takeout and my mom’s care packages. If Clara had to live on my cooking, she’d go on ahunger strike.
What kid her age likes stuffed mushrooms
and escargot?
I swear, the kid has the palate of a senior
citizen.
His words brought back a memory, and I wiped a tear from my eye.
11:35 – WOW… I can’t believe you said that…
11:35 – My dad used to use those same words to describe me as a kid…
I expected the bubbles to appear on my screen instantly, but it didn’t. I reached over to my night table and grabbed my water bottle. I took a large gulp while still clutching my phone. Then, I waited for his witty retort and reread the last twenty minutes of messages. I found it odd and unnerving that he suddenly stopped writing. And when I couldn’t wonder one second more, I texted him.
11:50 – Hey Pete? Are you still there? Is everything okay?
11:52 – Yeah. Sorry. When you compared Clara to you as a kid it hit a nerve.
11:52 – A nerve?
11:53 – I can’t do this, Waverly. I thought
I could...
I tossed my covers off since I was suddenly sweltering. I scraped my fingers over my scalp, as my heart pounded to the mixed beat of dread and unease. Yet, I tried to sound breezy.
11:53 – Do what? Have a friendly conversation with me?
11:53 – Is that all that this is? Even after
the other night?
My breath hitched in my throat. Lauren was right! I wasn’t the only one to feel sparks after all! But before I could reply, he texted.
11:53 – I think we both know this chat
was heading in a different direction…
11:54 – I wasn’t sure how you felt.
I won’t lie. I was hoping it was…
I’ve been thinking about you non-stop.
I want to get to know you better. I really feel a connection…
11:55 – You aren’t the only one…
A smile spread across my face and my phone beeped.
