Page 57 of Before Dawn

@abi_asher:I’ll take your word for it.

me:You should. I don’t say things I don’t mean.

@abi_asher:Smooth.

me:Always.

me:How’s your trip going so far?

@abi_asher:It’s good.

@abi_asher:My mom made lasagna, so that made it even better.

@abi_asher:Lasagna’s one of my favorites, by the way.

me:Noted.

me:I’ll keep that in mind.

@abi_asher:In mind for what?

me:The future.

@abi_asher:Bold.

me:Too much?

There was a pause before she responded, and I smirked at my screen, wondering what was going through her mind.

@abi_asher:Nope.

@abi_asher:Just enough, actually.

I didn’t know if it was my words or the fact that she wasn’t shutting me down, but my pulsepicked up.

@abi_asher:What’s your favorite meal from your mom?

me:La Bandera.

@abi_asher:Give me a second to Google.

me:No need. It’s our mother country’s national dish—rice, beans, meat, and veggies to match the flag. It sounds simple, but the way Mamá makes it? To die for.

@abi_asher:Dominican Republic, right?

me:Yes, you remembered.

@abi_asher:Of course.

A warm satisfaction settled in my chest. She’d remembered.

As the night went on, our messages became more frequent, the conversation flowing effortlessly. We swapped favorite songs, debated over music genres, and tossed recommendations back and forth.

At some point, her responses slowed.

me:I know you’re tired. Get some rest, Red.

@abi_asher:Mind reader. Talk tomorrow?

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