Page 58 of Savage King

Tell him, my new assertive self suggests. I start typing:

I miss y…and stop. No, that won't do. The tip of my tongue pokes out as I think. God, why is this so hard?

Again, I type:Good mor?—

Garrh, how pathetic is this? I erase it. It shouldn't be that hard to… an idea hits me. I search for GIFs. There. I found one.Isabella Garcia-ShapirofromPhineas and Ferb.What'cha doing?

I hit send before I can change my mind, then immediately do. Fuck. What have I done? I throw myself back against the pillow. Shit!Well done, Scarlet, very well done.

My phone pings. For a moment, I consider ignoring it, living in the purgatory of between before and after. But I'm not a coward, and my curiosity gets the better of me.

[GIF of Isabella Garcia-Shapiro] "What'cha dooooin?"

I cringe again when I see the GIF.

A.

Plotting murder. You?

A chuckle escapes me. I shouldn't giggle at his response, but I can't help it. It's there. Born from relief that he isn't calling me out on my childish behavior and because… it's so Antonio.

Waiting for my mafia boyfriend to come home. You know, normal things.

Again, I cringe. Boyfriend, Scarlet? Really?

A.

Boyfriend, huh?

I'm not sure who that person inside me is who responds, but I'm starting to like her. A lot.

Shut up.

A.

Make me.

Come home, and I will.

A.

Be there tonight, passerotta. Try to behave.

No promises.

A.

I miss you.

My heart swells, my feet pound the bed, and more giggles escape me. I feel like a teenager again, only I never felt like this as a teenager.

I miss you too.

A.

Fuck, baby, you're making me all hard.

Scarlet: Now I'm wet.

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