Page 60 of Take Two

Jamie: Very funny.

Cyaire: I thought so.

Another message arrives before I have a chance to respond.

Cyaire: Wait. Aren’t you with your sister right now? How did it go?

I don’t overthink it.

Jamie: It went well. I think she’s finally found the right place.

I send a second message before he can reply.

Jamie: But that’s not actually why I texted.

Jamie: My family is having our Fourth of July barbecue tomorrow.

I press send and watch the three dots appear, disappear, then come back again.

Before he can land a response, I send one more.

Jamie: I’d really like you to come. If you’re free. Of course, Cameron too.

Cyaire: You know, I had plans tomorrow.

My stomach drops, clean and fast.

The dots appear again almost before I’ve finished processing.

Cyaire: Good thing they already involved spending the day with you, Seventeen.

The laugh that escapes me is loud enough to earn a sideways glance from a woman passing on the sidewalk, and I don’t even have the energy to feel self-conscious about it.

Jamie: You’re an ass.

Cyaire: Last time I checked, you liked this ass. (winky face emoji)

Heat moves up the back of my neck before I can stop it.

Jamie: Yeah. . .yeah, I really do.

There’s a brief pause before his reply arrives.

Cyaire: I’d love to come.

Something warm and unhurried unfolds in my chest.

Cyaire: Should I bring anything? Drinks? Dessert? Both?

I smile.

Jamie: Just yourself.

A few seconds pass before the next message appears.

Cyaire: I can do that.

Jamie: Good. My family’s looking forward to meeting you.