Anya
Sorry, was that weird? I didn’t know how to reply.
My heart gives a funny flutter at the thought of her second-guessing such a simple question. I picture her chewing on her bottom lip again and holding her phone tight—anxious that it’s taken me a bit longer to reply.
Matteo
I do! Sleeping is one of life’s few free luxuries. I would sleep in every single day if I could.
Matteo
And it wasn’t weird at all. Jade is just grilling me about why I’m so interested in my phone this morning. I think she’s going to chuck a pillow at me in a second if I don’t tell her who I’m talking to.
“Matteo,” Jade huffs, trying to pull my attention back.
“Impatient,” I chide, waiting for Anya’s reply as her chat bubble flashes. “Give me a second, woman.”
Anya
Are you going to tell her?
My reply is instant.
Matteo
I won’t if you don’t want me to.
After a moment, I send another.
Matteo
I typically tell Jade everything, but if you want privacy, I won’t mind.
It might be difficult to keep my inquisitive sister off my case, but I’d do it for Anya. She clearly has some unresolved difficulties with seeing and speaking to her brothers, so I would understand why she may not want Jade—and therefore Dmitri—privy to our budding friendship.
Anya
You can tell her. She won’t make a big deal out of it, will she?
I smile, sensing that Anya is being brave right now. She’s not entirely comfortable with this new dynamic that’s happening, but she isn’t shying away from it either.
Matteo
Nah, Jade is cool. She might tease me, but that’s about it.
Shit, I mutter under my breath, realizing how that might sound.
Matteo
Tease me for texting a girl, not because it’s you. She wants everyone to fall in love and have babies now that she has.
Annnnd that might have made it worse?
“Matteo Moretti,” Jade scolds loudly, clapping once sharply to get my attention. “You’ve forgotten about your breakfast sandwich while staring at your phone. If you don’t tell me who it is, I’m going to assume you’ve been taken over by an alien or possessed by a digital demon.”
“And you call me dramatic.” I take another bite of my breakfast and continue to stare at my phone screen, wondering if I should send another clarifying message.
Anya
