Page 77 of The Most Perfect Wrong

I smile. “Yep. Fall would be pretty.”

“Well, I wouldn’t stall much longer,” my dad chimes in. “Trust me, after a few weddings, I know venues book up fast.” I roll my eyes, which doesn’t go unnoticed by my dad. He pauses. “I don’t know about Chicago, but you’d have a hard time finding a venue in Newport even a year out.”

“It’ll be fine, Dad. Worst case, we can always get married right here.” But even as I say all the right things, I know it’snever going to happen. Just hearing about the wedding makes me feel like I’m suffocating. I fake a yawn. “Think I’ll head to bed. You coming?” I glance over at Brad.

“Yeah, I’ll be right there.”

I head up the stairs and crawl into bed. I skip my nighttime routine, hoping Brad will stay downstairs talking to my dad long enough for me to fall asleep first. Pulling out my phone, unable to help myself, I open the text thread with Ryan. I read and re-read his words, the glow from the screen lighting up my fingers and blankets. I hover over the keyboard, wanting him to know he’s on my mind, but I’m not sure what to say. Before I can second-guess myself, my thumbs move quickly, and I hit send.

Cooper:Sweet dreams, Ryan. I know mine will be.

I silence notifications and set my phone to sleep mode—just in case he texts back. The last thing I need is a blaring message from Ryan on my screen when Brad comes to bed.

* * * * * ?* * * * *

I slip out of bed early on Christmas morning, unable to sleep. It’s barely five. Bundling up, I grab my phone and head outside for a walk, hoping to clear my head. I have a message from Ryan that was sent late last night. My pulse quickens as I swipe up to read it.

Ryan:Any dream with you in it would make me more than happy.

I smile as I read it. I text him back, hoping I don’t wake him.

Cooper:So, turns out I had a super weird dream. You were in it, but it was like an episode of The Office. We were at work, and I kept asking if anyone had seen my vibrator. #awkward

Thirty minutes later, as I round the corner to my dad’s street, my phone buzzes with another text from Ryan.

Ryan:Why are you up so early? Excited for Santa? Also, I hope I was Jim and you were Pam—you know, cuz they end up doing it.

I shake my head, laughing.God, he’s such a nerd.

Cooper:Couldn’t sleep. And… DOING IT? Are you thirteen? Lol.

Ryan:What do you have against doing it? Did you and Brad do it last night?

Cooper:God, you really are thirteen… Let me guess, you jerked off into a sock last night and left it under the bed for your mom to find later? Merry Christmas, Mom! Here’s a crusty gift from your 30-something son. (How old are you, anyway?)

I head out to the back patio and sink onto the sofa, grinning from ear to ear. Why is this so much fun?

Ryan:Hey, a man’s gotta make do with what he’s got. But what do you expect when all I can think about is your beautiful body pressed against me in that elevator? That cute laugh… those lips? Fuck. Don’t even get me started. #sorrymom #cumsocks—oh, and I’m 34 btw. How old are you?

I laugh out loud.

Cooper:That actually made me laugh out loud. I know you’re joking, but also… that was hot… I’m 27.

Ryan:What are you doing?

Cooper:Sitting on the patio, watching the waves…

Ryan:Ah… waiting for me to run by. Hate to disappoint, but no sexy men will be by today.

Ryan:Are you alone?

Cooper:Yes. Why?

Ryan:What are you wearing?

I roll my eyes, already knowing where this is going. “Oh God,” I say out loud, shaking my head. So typical.

Cooper:Is this where I’m supposed to text back “nothing”?

---