Page 5 of Heartthrobs Don't Date Wallflowers

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But maybe on purpose this time

There was a pause, just long enough for me to second-guess everything I'd said. Then my phone chimed again.

Unknown Number

I’ll keep an eye out for you then, princess

Until now, the longest I’d ever been able to hold my breath was 47 seconds—I knew fora fact because I’d clocked it in our pool.

I was pretty sure I beat that record by over a minute as I stared at the wordprincess.

Once my lungs started burning and I took in a very necessary gasp of air, I realized he was probably also staring at his phone, desperately wishing for me to reply and debating if calling me princess was too much, just like how I worried about my last text. So, I sent the first thing that came to mind.

Ivy

It seems I’m at a disadvantage

You have a name for me and I don’t have one for you

Unknown Number

Hmmmmm very good point

Well

I guess you can call me by the name my friends gave me in our group chat

As long as you promise not to laugh

Ivy

I pinky promise

Unknown Number

Okay

You can call me Zesty

Totally ignoring my promise to him, I immediately burst out laughing.

Ivy

I’m sorry??

Unknown Number

Don’t ask me

My friend picked it and now I’m stuck with it

Well actually I’m stuck with Not Zesty

Long story

Ivy

N O T Z E S T Y

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