got extra dessert.
Hunter:That helped. But that’s not
what I meant.
Me:Oh?
Hunter:I meant being there with you
and them.
It just felt right, in that way you can’t quite name but know all the same.
I tried to suppress the grin spreading across my face, but Dani leaned over my shoulder before I could turn the screen away.
“AW,” she said, gasping dramatically. “He’ssweet. Like, emotionally stable and everything.”
“Dani,” I hissed, laughing despite myself.
Mom pretended not to eavesdrop, but her voice carried amusement. “He said that?”
I bit my lip, typing before I could overthink it.
Me:You have a way of saying things that
makes it hard to know what to text back.
Hunter:No response needed. Just know
I meant it.
Heat climbed up my neck. I took another sip of coffee just to hide it.
Me:You did great with them. Zeke’s
already asked if you’d come back.
Hunter:Guess I made the cut, huh?
Me:Looks like it. My mom might be a
tougher critic, though.
When I set the phone down, Dani was grinning like she’d just witnessed a rom-com montage come to life.
“He really likes you,” she said. “It’s about time someone does.”
Mom sighed, still cautious but gentler now. “I’m glad he makes you happy, sweetheart. Go out, have fun, laugh a little. You deserve that, no matter where this goes.”
I nodded, smiling faintly. “I know. And I am having fun.”
Dani smirked. “I’ll bet.”
“Dani!”
“What? It’s a compliment.” She winked.
I groaned. “Nope, we’re not doing this again.”
