Page 8 of Yours, Unexpectedly

Got it.

“Set an extra place at the table, please.”

I really thought having all of my brothers at college this year was going to mean coming home to a calm, quiet house. I thought wrong.

“Who else is coming?” I ask.

“Gabriel’s new roommate. They’ve been friends for a few years.” Mom gives me a pointed look. “I’ve met him—he’s very cute.”

“Gross, Mom!”

I’m annoyed to find out that my mother was right. He is very cute.

My mind is spinning and it’s not because Riz is talking about space again. It is one hundred percent because that damn redheaded man walked back into my life. I haven’t told Riz or Luci yet. I definitely haven’t told Gabe yet. Instead, I’m sitting here, curled up on the couch, chewing my nails like a lunatic while I half listen to Riz prattle on about some rocket launch that’s coming up.

I’m so in my head that when my phone buzzes in my pocket, I nearly jump out of my skin. Riz stops mid sentence and looks at me like I’ve grown three heads.

“Sorry, just on edge,” I murmur as I pull my phone out and see a message from an unknown number.

Unknown

Hey.

This message is accompanied by a picture of what looks like a margarita and some Chinese takeout sitting on someone’s countertop. I zoom in on the picture to try to figure out what the hell is happening when another text comes through.

Unknown

It’s Anders.

My phone falls from my hand. I scramble to pick it up, feeling it buzz again.

Unknown

Sorry, that probably wasn’t very clear based on the last text.

It’s Margarita Monday and I figured Gabe had told you about those.

Okay, so he’s drunk texting me, but how and why did he get my number?

Anders

Gabe gave me your number. I hope that’s okay. We need to talk.

Ominous but not completely untrue after our run-in earlier today. I’m trying to figure out what to say to him when yet another text comes through. Damn, he’s an efficient drunk.

Anders

I’m fucking this up but you left class without talking to me today and I figured we should be on the same page moving forward. Also trying to figure out why you’re even in that class in the first place.

And if maybe you should find a different one…

Ouch. Blunt.

Hey, it’s Bex.

Oh my God. Obviously.

Obviously you know that.

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