Page 26 of The Prodigal Son

The typing bubbles pop up, and turmoil boils inside me. Biting my lip, I wait for his reply.

Well, that’s too bad. Because I do like you.

My heart hammers wildly in my chest. I feel like a teenager, staring at his message while my insides do somersaults. I just met this guy last night. Why am I acting like such a kid?

Because he’s hot. He’s so fucking hot.

And we had real chemistry.

“Earth to Theo.” I look up from my phone to find Lola staring at me with a look of exasperation. Then I notice the woman standing to my left with an apron on and a notepad in her hand.

“Oh shit, sorry. I’ll uh…have a Coke and a cheeseburger, please.”

“Everything on it?” the woman asks, sounding annoyed.

“Yes, ma’am.”

She scribbles something down and walks away. When I glance at Lola, she looks in shock.

“Wow, you got it bad.”

“Okay, but if you saw how cute this last text was, you’d be in a daze too.” I bite my lip as I read it again.

She doesn’t look as excited. The skepticism in her eyes kinda bums me out.

“You’re a celebrity now, Theo. People love you, but you need to be careful.”

“I am being careful,” I say, trying to brush her off. I’m a little annoyed that she’s trying to rain on my parade right now. I found a tall, beautiful man who wants to flirt with me. Let me live.

When I take too long to respond, Jensen texts again.

Too much?

Not at all.

Maybe I’m feeling rebellious, or maybe his last text has me feeling bold. But I type out something a little crazy.

You should come to my show tomorrow.

I continue to chew on my lip as I wait for his response. It’s wild that I’m asking a guy I just met yesterday to fly out to Utah to see me after just two days. What am I thinking will happen?

I know what Iwantto happen. Does he?

No matter how many times I tell myself and Lola that I’m being careful, I can see my own behavior plain as day. I’m not being careful at all. In fact, I’m being downright fucking reckless.

Are you serious?

Fuck. I went too far. I made it awkward.

I mean, sure. If you want.

You’ve probably got work and a life

and you can’t just drop everything to come hang out with me again.

I’ll be there.

I have to cover my smile with my own hand as Lola scrolls on her phone across the table.

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