Page 24 of The Seashell of ’Ohana

Abby: Good morning. Thank you for your concern. I’m fine. How are you? Kate came over last night and …

I groaned. Why was I putting so much effort into one simple text? He’d asked me one question. Just answer.

Delete. Delete. Delete. Keep it simple.

Abby: Good morning. Thank you for your concern. I’m fine.

I wasn’t expecting a reply, so I got out of my seat, but Kate and Tyler had already put their plates in the sink. How long was I sitting here?

My heartbeat kicked up when the telltale blinking dots appeared. I sat back down.

Ian: What are you doing today?

My fingers flew over the keys.

Abby: Kate is spending the day with Ty and me.

Ian: Lucky her.

I smiled and tapped out a message without a thought—and regretted the words as soon as I hit send.

Abby: Maybe next time, it’ll be your turn.

Oh dear God. What wild spirit had possessed my fingers?

“Kate,” I practically screamed her name, swelling with panic. “Kate. Come here quick.” I stood by the table, frozen and staring at my phone in horror.

Kate came rushing out of Tyler’s room. “What? What happened?”

“How do I delete something I just sent?”

She extended her hand, palm up. “Give it to me. I’ll see what I can do.”

I put my phone behind my back. “No, just tell me. I can do it.”

She crossed her arms and glared. “You mean you’ve never had to delete something you sent before?”

I shook my head. The only people I texted with were Kate, Stella, and a few of my friends. I’d never texted anyone something I regretted. Besides the basic things on my computer and the cell phone, I sucked at technology and had relied on Steve, so this was new territory.

“What do you want to hide from me?” She perked her lips, suppressing a smile.

“I’m not hiding anything.” I frowned.

“Then give me the phone. The longer you wait, the more likely he’s already read it.”

My stomach twisted. I was wasting time, and it was probably too late.

“Here.” I bit my bottom lip as I handed it to her.

She waggled her eyebrows, and her tone went all chirpy. “‘Maybe next time it’ll be your turn.’ Good one, Abby.”

“Hush. Did you do it?” I whispered sharply. I didn’t want Tyler to hear our conversation.

She gave me my phone back and looked at me as if she had given me a death sentence. I thought that when she snickered, she was joking, but then she said, “I would have, but he’s texting you back. So it’s best you just leave it alone.”

“Crap.” I swiped to read it.

Ian: I’m counting on it.