Delete again.
I’m about to type something else when a message pops up from him.
Jack: You’re killing me here, beautiful. I never knew an ellipsis could mean so much.
I smile. It’s just like I said to Mara. The moment he texts me, it’s like a weight is lifted. I don’t have to panic, stress, or doubt.
Take it easy, I warn myself.
Dakota: Do you have a special app or something that tells you when I’m writing a message?
Jack: Ha, I wish. What do you think I am, some kind of tech whizz? I’ve just been checking every spare chance I get, just in case a notification didn’t come through. Is that creepy or endearing?
Dakota: Maybe both? Creepdearing?
Jack:
Jack: How’ve you been? I saw you’ve been spending more time in the Cove, even the crappy version we’ve still got on the server.
Dakota: You’ve been watching my stream?
Jack: Of course.
He replies, like it’s obvious.
Jack: When you said space, I assumed you meant direct contact. I need my daily hit of Dakota or I’ll go nuts, especially spending sixteen hours straight in the programming dungeons.
I feel like an excited teenager realizing her crushhasbeen paying attention after all. But I’m not a teenager, not even close. I’m thirty years old and I won’t allow myself to be swept away like debris.
Dakota: That’s really nice.
I reply one thing, when really, I want to say isthat means so much to me. I was so nervous, you stopped caring the moment we had sex, like that was all you wanted me for or something.
I send a quick follow-up.
Dakota: How’s the Cove coming along?
Jack: Would you rather I tell you? Or show you?
Dakota: Do you even have to ask? Booting up my computer now.
As I go into my office, I’m aware we haven’t spoken about any of the issues. The PR drama, the awkwardness of crawling around like an ugly secret on the floor, the fact I care too much too fast, and I know I can’t stop.
Still, I don’t have to show him any of that. If we can’t escape into Empire’s Fall, a gameknownfor escapism, where can we?
When I log into the game, I get an immediate invitation fromTheRealCreator.
When I accept, I appear in Emerald Cove. A moment later, another screen pops up.
Voice chat with The Real Creator?
DakkyDuck: I can’t find my mic.
I type, then delete the message. If I’m not going to be honest, there’s no point even continuing.
DakkyDuck: Can we stick to text for now? I find it easier.
TheRealCreator: I know the feeling. And of course.
