Page 6 of Until We Meet Again

Z: P.S. How's the weather?

I smile as I read his message, and my stomach hatches a few tiny butterflies.

"He's a little persistent, but not in a creepy way." I open his profile and discreetly angle the phone toward my chest. "You ready?"

"Wait!" She quickly finishes the last of her wine, setting it back down on the coffee table, and shoots me a nod.

As I flip my phone and reveal Zane's picture, her jaw drops, and she snatches the phone from my hand like a starved vulture.

"Wow, you weren't exaggerating, were you?" I shake my head, a coy grin spreading across my face. "I would definitely call him Daddy."

"Jesus, Jen." I laugh as she continues to gawk at him.

"Oh, come on, just look at him. He's got that whole dominant vibe going on."

"Read his messages." She scrolls through our conversation, and I feel her growing excitement as her fingers glide across the screen.

"He dropped the 'good girl' bomb, and you ghosted him. Are you fucking crazy?" I snatch the phone from her grasp, and she looks at me like I'm insane. "You need to message him back."

"It's girls' night tonight."

"Screw that, let's do this." I roll my eyes as she bounces around, clapping her hands together, and I know I'm about to give in to her.

"If we're doing this, can you fill my glass to the top? I have a feeling I might need it." I hold my glass out, and she fills it with more wine while I continue typing my reply to Zane's message.

T: Since you found me based on where we live, you should know it's pretty warm outside. However, it's extremely hot where I am. What about you, Professor? Are you hot?

"Oh my god." Jen's laughter echoes throughout the room, and we quickly find ourselves doubled over, struggling to catch our breaths.

Vibration from my phone stops me in my tracks as I grab my drink. My eyes widen, and I side-eye Jen, who's mirroring my reaction.

"Open it."

"I don't want to."

"Fine, I'll do it." She lunges for my phone, but I pull it back, and my pulse quickens with excitement as I read his message.

Z: Can you bring that attitude if I take you for coffee? There's just something about a bratty mouth that I like.

I read it to Jen, who stares at me silently as I type back.

T: If you want to take me for coffee, you'll have to say please, Professor.

Jen gives me a playful smile and shakes her head in amusement as I read the words on my phone aloud. "Who are you, and what have you done with my best friend?"

"The alcohol is making me ballsy."

"There's more to it than that. What's going on?" Her laughter fades, and I'm sure I hear a hint of concern in her voice.

"I don't know," I say with a nervous laugh, hoping to hide the truth. "I guess I've been indulging in too much Fifty Shades lately." I know she can see right through me. She knows there's something deeper going on.

"What's the real answer, because I know you hate those movies? Jamie was never your Christian." I take a long breath as I feel her eyes on me, waiting for my response.

It's not that I can't be honest with her because she already knows everything about me but saying it out loud makes me feel like an idiot.

"I want someone to turn my whole existence upside down, but I feel like I'm waiting for a moment that isn't going to happen. And while waiting, I might miss out on something amazing."

"I get that."

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