Me
Tell him thanks. That would make her day.
Sebastian
I’m more worried about making yours.
My stomach does another little flip, and I’m grinning like an idiot, but I don’t care. I can’t believe this is happening.
Sebastian
They’re letting us board, so I have to go. I’ll text you when we land, okay? Have a fun day, Rosebud. Miss you.
Me
Fly safe. I miss you too.
Closing out of the messaging app, I get back to work, newly invigorated by our text exchange. I write the next chapter from my heroine’s point of view. She’s confused about her feelings after the intense make-out session with her fake boyfriend, because they’re definitelynotfake, and she doesn’t know what it means. Does he like her? Or did things just get out of hand? Does he regret it? Does she?
My messaging app pops up again, and I grin, expecting to see another text from Sebastian. Maybe Griffin has more questions about Lola.
Except, my excitement is short-lived because it’s not Bash.
Ryland
Hey, Indigo. It’s been a while. I just realized I left my favorite jacket at your place. Can I swing by and grab it?
All those fizzy, pleasant feelings that had been bubbling up in my belly from Sebastian’s texts pop and disappear, replaced with a hollow sort of dread. I haven’t heard from Ryland since we broke up, and that’s been okay with me. It hurt to realize he hadn’t been dating me because he actually liked me. And while part of me wasn’t all that surprised by the revelation, that doesn’t mean it didn’t leave a mark.
Of course, he’d text me when I’m finally feeling good about myself and life.
Ryland
Maybe we could grab a coffee and catch up.
That is the last thing I’d want to do, even if I hadn’t reconnected with Sebastian, but I don’t need to let Ryland know that. I can’t reveal that he has any power to affect me anymore. Even if it’s only a small amount of power.
Me
Can’t, sorry. Not in town.
Ryland
You’re not? Oh, that’s right. Your mom mentioned something about a little girl’s trip with Lola. When will you be back?
How does he manage to sound condescending even in a text?
Me
Not sure. It won’t be for at least another month.
The ellipsis that tells me Ryland is typing flashes on the screen, disappears, then reappears. This happens a few times before his next text comes through.
Ryland
Where are you?
Me
