Page 121 of Even Exchange

Did you know giraffe tongues can be up to 20 inches long?

I consider how to reply. We’ve been doing this boring little check-in texting banter for weeks, but every time my mind wanders to those sex lessons, I’m aching for release.

Me

No, but now I’m a little turned on

Noah

Great, and now I’m thinking about other tongues in certain places

Good. This is good.

Me

You’re the one who mentioned the tongue thing

Noah

It was the fun fact of the day

Me

Well the fact is, I could really use some fun

Noah

Not a good day?

Char?

My phone buzzes in my hand, the red button begging to be touched. Just like me. I roll my eyes at myself.Stop being so desperate.Or am I flirting? The temptation of hearing Noah’s voice is too much to resist, and I tap green instead.

“Hi,” I say to his smiling face popping up on FaceTime.

“Hi,” he replies. “What are you up to?”

I roll on my side, the cabin bed squeaking. “Just chilling.”

“Chilling.” He nods his head. “Are you alone?”

“Yeah, Andi went swimming.”

“You didn’t want to go?”

“Not really.”

“Why?”

Because I had a terrible day. Fell on my ass twice. Threw up in the bushes. All but cried when I found your T-shirt in my drawer because it’s been two weeks since I got to kiss your stupid face even though I know we were faking it. Oh, and all I can think of every time I close my eyes is your hands on my skin and you whispering my name like a prayer.“Just tired.”

“Charlotte,” he says, tone accusatory.

“Noahhh.”

“What’s wrong?”

I shake my head, fighting tears.Why are there tears?“Everything’s fine.”

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