“Have fun at the movies,” I tell them as we say goodbye.
I slip out quickly, eager to avoid any more conversation.
Today has been… a lot.
When I get home, I change into pajamas and order pizza. Nothing is getting in the way of me and my book tonight.
A minute after the pizza arrives, my phone buzzes.
My heart drops at the thought of who it might be.
I take a deep breath.
UNKNOWN: Hey, Gwen. I was thinking we could meet at 6:30 tomorrow. Does that work for you? Let me know where you’d like to go.
UNKNOWN: This is Zane, by the way.
My heart starts doing all kinds of strange flips in my chest, and I can’t help smiling at my phone. He’s really texting me. He actually wants to go tomorrow. Somewhere, in an apartment, probably a penthouse, he’s sitting with his phone in hand, texting me.
My fingers feel slightly unsteady as I reply.
ME: Hi! 6:30 works. Let’s meet at the Moonlight Lounge.
ME: This is Gwen, by the way.
I feel oddly satisfied with the message and quickly place my phone face down on the table. I stare at it like it’s a ticking time bomb until it buzzes again.
ZANE: Can’t wait xx
No way he really sent “xx.”
I blink and reread the message, feeling like a teenage girl about to kiss a poster on her bedroom wall. Maybe Zane is someone’s poster somewhere. He’s a well-known hockey player, after all.
The rest of the night, I hold my book in my hands but don’t read a single page. Every time I try, thoughts of Zane creep in.
What if he feels bad for me?
What if he actually likes me?
What if this is just friendly?
What if this is the start of something?
What if I’m losing my mind?
He’s Leo’s friend. What if that gets messy?
By the time it’s midnight, my brain has finally worn itself out, and I drift off… though I keep waking up every hour or so to check my phone.
Chapter 6
Zane
Practice ends when Leo finally calls me back.
“Well, that took you long enough,” I say without bothering to say hi.
“Everything good?” Leo asks, and I sigh.
