I blow out a breath. Twelve minutes may have been too much time for me to freak out over what to say. Now that I’m readingthe message, I realize how creepy it is to be asked that by a supposed stranger.
My heart stalls when the dots immediately appear at the bottom of the screen.
Leo: I’m old school. Direct deposit will suffice.
I giggle, grinning like a kid whose crush just looked at her—which is precisely what’s happening. Iknewwe’d have a similar sort of humor. This relationship was written in the freaking stars. I’m glad he’s finally realizing it.
Mina: Counteroffer: either tell me what the correct song is or I’m writing a check.
Leo: Promise not to tell anyone?
My eyes widen, and I chew my bottom lip. I’m two seconds away from kicking my feet and twirling my hair.
I lie back on the couch and quickly respond while I have his attention.
Mina: I swear it.
Leo: Can you feel my heart.
What the fuck kind of question is that?
Wait.
Oh.
Mina: Bring Me the Horizon? Fuck. That was my second guess.
He wore their band T-shirt in a photo from six years ago. I really should have put those two pieces together.
Leo: Counteroffer?
My brows hike up my forehead, and I don’t bother containing my squeal. Leo fucking Duval is continuing a conversation with me. I can die happy.
Mina: I suppose I might be willing to negotiate.
Leo: You can keep your money if you tell me what your song is.
Mina: That information is near and dear to me. You won’t get it that easily.
Treat ’em mean, keep ’em keen, as they say.
Leo: It looks like I have some work to do then.
CHAPTER FIVE
Mina
Rain batters on the windshield, drumming faster than my pulse. My trembling fingers reach for the neckline of my hoodie, yanking it up to hide my face and nose beneath the thick fabric. It’s a miracle I haven’t caught pneumonia yet. Blasting the heater runs the risk of revealing that there is a human being in this car, and said human is snooping.
Breathing hot air into my hoodie to warm my nose is my only option as I sit here and freeze while watching the dozens of videos Sabrina sent from her thrift haul today. The woman truly has impeccable taste.
Just as I finish the last video, another notification comes through with a text from the man of the hour.
Leo: I’m no wildlife expert, but if you come across a bear, I highly suggest that you don’t attempt to pet it.
I roll my eyes. We’ve been perfectly in sync since the very first message I received from him two weeks ago. Excluding the fact that I lied about where I live, work, what my name is, and my life goals, there’s nothing fake about our conversations. Anyone could say that we’ve been friends since we were born; we have the same interests, same humor, and same passions—minus the exercise and interest in the outdoors, in my case.
He’s exactly how I always imagined him to be.
