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“What was that?” he yells into the phone.

“I think I have the wrong number,” I tell him, raising my voice slightly.

“You need some long lumber?” he asks, sounding even more confused.

I don’t want to hang up on him and be rude, so I try once more. “No, I have the wrong number.”

“I’m sorry, I don’t know a gong plumber,” he replies, sounding annoyed. “I think you have the wrong number.” Then he hangs up.

I release a heavy sigh. This means she’s gotten a new number, and I have no choice but to ask Harrison for it. I could message her on Facebook like I do every year on her birthday, but for some reason, that feels impersonal. And I really want to mend our relationship.

With a deep breath, I type out a text to Harrison.

West

Hey man, can I have Mel’s new number?

I pace the room waiting for his reply. Me and Melanie are grown adults. If I want to take her on a date, he can’t do anything to stop me. I mean, that stupid pact we made was like fifteen years ago.

Harrison

New number?

West

Yeah, I still have her old number from high school; we usually just message on Facebook.

I’m making it sound like we chat way more than we actually have.

Harrison

Oh, sure, I’ll send it over.

He shares her contact information with me and I save it into my phone.

CHAPTER SIX

MELANIE

“A date?!” Noel exclaims after I catch her up on the events from last night.

“No! He said he wants to catch up.” I use my hands to make air quotes.

Noel does an excited little bounce and releases a squeal of delight. “This is the most excitement I’ve had since a boy in my class asked a girl to prom by singing her Michael Bolton’s “When A Man Loves a Woman” in front of the entire class.”

“Wow, we’re circling back to that story in a minute.” I smirk. “But I don’t have to worry about actually catching up with West because he only mentioned it to be polite.” I smile and raise my chin in smug satisfaction.

Her shoulders drop. “Well, that’s no fun. I really wanted to hear all about this coffee date.”

“Sorry, you’ll just have to get your drama from your students.”

My phone pings from the pocket of my fluffy pink robe. I take my phone out and see there’s a text from a random number. I tap on it assuming it’s some kind of spam.

Unknown number

Hey Mel, it’s West. Got your number from Harrison.

I gasp and nearly drop my phone. Noel comes to my side and reads over my shoulder.