Page 75 of The Most Perfect Wrong

I catch the emphasis onshould. “Subtle,” I say. “Brad knows he’s lucky.”

“Does he?” she asks, a sad expression on her face.

“Yes, he does. You’ll see—he’s missed me all week. He may even surprise you… Maybe you’ll finally warm up to him.”

God, why did I just defend him?

“I’m not holding my breath. Are you texting him back or what?”

I hesitate. “Yeah. I’ll text him back.”

Cooper:Hey back.

“You really went with ‘hey back?’ Come on Coop. Turn up the heat!”

“Chill. I’m feeling it out. I've got to see where he’s going with this. Our last encounter wasn’t exactly… normal.” Just thinking about it gives me butterflies—the elevator, his kiss, how he left. Good Lord.

I get another text.

“Oh. It’s Brad.” Disappointment slips into my voice, and Casey gives me a pointed look.

Brad:Hey baby, just landed. Grabbing an Uber. Can’t wait to see you.

I force a smile. It’s not that I don’t want Brad here, or that I’m not happy to see him—it’s just that Ryan seems to overshadow everything lately. But does that feeling disappear once you cross the line? That’s where I hesitate. Is this all fun and games because I’m not supposed to want Ryan? Because I’m going to text him back? Because I don’t want Brad to know?

Casey grabs my phone and starts typing.

“What are you doing?” I ask, panic rising in my throat.

“What you should be doing.” She gives me a bold look—daring me to stop her.

I know it’s pointless to try to take it back—plus, part of me doesn’t want to. “Casey, don’t. Just don’t make me look desperate or… embarrass me.”

She chucks it back.

“I didn’t. Just sent enough to get the conversation going.”

“Glad you texted. I’ve been thinking about you.Really? Way to give him the upper hand, Case. Now he thinks I’ve been sitting here obsessing over him for days.”

“Two things: One, youhavebeen sitting here obsessing over him. And two, it never hurts to stroke a guy’s ego now and then. Sometimes, you just have to make the first move.”

“You’re giving me a lecture on initiating? That’s how we ended up in that elevator mess in the first place. I initiated… hardcore. I don’t know if I want to keep playing that game.”

“Of course you do. You just need to break it off with Brad first… I’ve gotta get going. Say hi to Brad for me—or don’t. Whatever.”

“You’re such a jerk.” I stick my tongue out at her.

She laughs, standing. “Enjoy your conversation with Ryan,” she says teasingly. “Don’t let Brad see those messages.”

“I won’t. I’ll delete them… and I’m done texting him.”

“Sure you are.” Casey winks, and I stand to give her a hug goodbye. “Love you, sis. See you in the morning.”

“Love you back. See you.”

As she walks inside, my phone buzzes again. I settle back, bracing for some fun.

Ryan:Ah, you’re still thinking about that kiss in the elevator? Just a taste of what could be…

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