Tell Tess and her dad I said hi. Sleep well. I’ll see you tomorrow. Love you.
Her text comes in almost immediately.
Love you too.
I smile at her message.
Things aren’t all bad. Haley’s happy. And if she’s happy, I am.
With my phone already in hand, I decide to send Hazel a quick text before I get ready for bed. I won’t ask her directly if something’s going on with Ronan—that feels weird, given thatshe’s friends with him, and Alec is one of Ronan’s best friends—but she might drop a hint. Or maybe she’ll tell me in confidence that Ronan actually has a stomach bug and he didn’t want to tell me about it.
I could see that, actually. Ronan wouldn’t want to ruin Haley’s time at the Walk by saying he was sick. Or he might not have wanted to worry me.
Not that IwantRonan to have a stomach bug. But if he’s really sick and not just tired, that would explain the sudden change in his behavior.
My mood lifts slightly. Which I feel kind of bad about, but if Ronan’s really sick… I can go over first thing in the morning. Bring him chicken soup or ginger ale and saltines. Cough drops. Ginger tea. Whatever he needs. And if he’s really feeling miserable, I can see if Haley can stay at the Ryan’s a little later so I can stay at Ronan’s to take care of him.
Pulling up my last text conversation with Hazel, I send a quick message.
Just wanted to say hi. How’s everything going?
I’m sure she’s awake too, because Saturday nights are the nights when Hazel plays her online game,World of Warcraft. It also means she might take a little while to get back to me, so I decide to get ready for bed while I’m waiting.
I’m just finishing brushing my teeth when her reply finally comes in.
Sorry! I was in the middle of a big battle. We’re exploring this new dungeon, and there are some crazy monsters in it. Very intense.
I spit out my toothpaste and rinse my mouth before responding.
Sounds very exciting. Is Alec playing, too?
She messages me right back.
Yes. He’s really gotten into it. You should see him looking up fight strategies online.
A few seconds pass before she sends another text.
So. You and Ronan. Looks like things are going pretty well.
I can practically hear Hazel’s matchmaking gears turning from here.
Flicking off the bathroom light, I head into my bedroom, kick off my slippers, and climb into bed. Then I fluff my pillow and lean back against it.
I think so. I hope so.
I gnaw on my lip for a second as I think. Then I add,
Did he seem okay to you today?
As soon as I hit send, I wish I could take it back. Why am I asking Hazel how Ronan feels when, as the woman he’s ostensibly dating, I should already know the answer?
But it’s too late. I’ve already asked.
A few moments later, Hazel’s answer appears.
He seemed okay to me. But I’m asking Alec.
I stare at the screen in horror. That’snotwhat I meant. If she asks Alec, then Alec will say something to Ronan, and Ronan will know I’m talking about him, and?—
