Page 95 of Banter & Blushes

Elias’ surprised expression shifts to understanding. Or what he thinks he understands. “E 2.0 had a hot date with his puck bunny tonight and doesn’t want to leave Sarabella.”

I snort. “You’re the 2.0 in this duo, man.” Then I sober. “She didn’t show.”

Payton blows out a breath between his teeth. “Sorry, mate. That’s bloody awful.”

All I can do is nod. Better that it happened early on, though. I can get over infatuation way faster than getting my heart pulverized. And that’s all a bunch of texts could amount to anyway—infatuation, right?

Just wish that pang in my chest would get the memo.

CHAPTER 10

MIA

As soon as I get home, I plug my phone into the charger and stare at it, waiting for the first signs of life to appear so I can text Ethan.

How long did he wait at the restaurant for me? Ten or fifteen minutes? Half an hour? I can only imagine what he must have thought of me when I didn’t show up. And what do I tell him? Can’t hide that I’m a schoolteacher if I tell him I was on a class field trip and the bus broke down.

See? He’ll think I’m a total snooze fest before he’s even met me in person. I can picture his eyes rolling back in his head already. This romance will end before it ever has a chance.

After I wait an eternity for my phone to finally register it has juice again, I open our text conversation and rapidly tap out a message, which of course means I make a thousand mistakes and have to retype and correct most of it.

Mia: I’m so sorry, Ethan. Engine trouble and my phone died. I didn’t have a charger with me and just got home.

Sounds a little vague, but I don’t know what else to say. Either he’ll understand, or he won’t. Feels like an eternity, waiting for those three dots to appear. I fall back on my bed, preparing myself for his response.

This could be a good thing, really. If he ghosts me, that tells me he’s not avery considerate person and that I avoided a potentially awkward breakup at some point.

Or he’ll show his true colors and be sweet and understanding. That’s the Ethan I’m banking on, the one who showed up so sweetly in those text bubbles and the guy who let himself get distracted—by me—that he wound up splayed out on the ice, grinning at me.

Ethan: Engine trouble and a dead phone? Hey, if you changed your mind, just tell me.

Feeling the day, I flop back and cover my eyes. I don’t blame him for doubting me. If the tables were turned, I’d be thinking the same. The only way he’ll believe me is if I tell him the entire truth. But then he’ll know I’m a boring second-grade teacher, who spends her days conversing with seven- and eight-year-olds. Maybe I should call Iris and ask her what I should do. I’m almost certain she’d have an opinion.

Next thing I know, I’m blinking my eyes awake. I fell asleep?

“No, no, no…” I grab my phone and let out a strangle cry when I see several messages from Ethan.

Ethan: Forget I said that. Sorry to hear you had engine trouble, but glad you’re okay. Reschedule?

Thirty minutes later…

Ethan: Still having engine and phone troubles?

Fifteen minutes later…

Ethan: Like I said, if you changed your mind…

Now he thinks I’m fickle. First, I don’t show up for our date, and then I don’t reply to his texts. Either I come up with a better excuse, or I tell him the entire story of what happened.

I take a deep breath for courage and tap out a new message.

Mia: No, fell asleep. I know that sounds lame, but there’s a good reason. One I’d rather tell you in person. Can we meet so I can explain?

The dots preceding his reply show up, then go away. And I wait…and wait.

Until finally…

Ethan: I’m heading home now, but I canmake a stop. How about a walk on the beach?

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