Page 20 of Let's Get Textual

“Shut up. I know. We’re having fun, keeping it casual, not labeling anything—not that there is anything to label. We’re…”

“Getting to know each other?”

“Sure. That sounds about right.”

“Are you going to meet him?”

I twist my lips, thinking. I don’t know anything about Zach, not where he lives, not what he does for a living—hell, I don’t even know how old he is. We’re practically strangers, but there’s this pull to him. He’s the first person I text in the morning now, and I want to tell him all about my day. He’s the one I turn to when I need a laugh.

But do I want tomeethim?

I don’t know.

“We’ll see.”

“That’s all I’m going to get, huh?”

I shrug. “For now.”

Caleb sighs. “Just be careful, D? Okay? We might not be an item anymore, but I still give a shit about you.”

“I still give a shit about you too.”

“So, what are you drinking? You want me to grab you another?”

“If you don’t mind, I’d love a water. I’m trying to stay sober.” I point toward Zoe, who’s out on Lola’s petite dance floor grinding against a random guy. “Someone needs to watch that one.”

“Oh good Lord. The kid is barely eighteen. A great arm on him, but he’s too young for Zoe to sink her claws into.”

“Well go rescue the poor kid and grab me a water.”

He stands and salutes me. “Yes, ma’am!”

I feel my phone vibrate in my back pocket and pull it out.

Zach: Are you behaving yourself?

Me: Define “behaving”.

Zach: Not doing shots off the bartender’s stomach. Not caressing strange men. Not making out with a woman dressed in a banana suit.

Me:Did that last one happen to you?

Zach: I had to witness it, if that counts for anything. My roommate is a bit…let’s say social.

Me: I, too, have a social roommate, and I’m babysitting her tonight. I only imbibed one alcoholic beverage and plan to drag her drunk ass out of here at a decent time.

Zach: You’re such a responsible wrong number.

Me: Are you calling me boring?

Zach: No…but also maybe yes. There is nothing inherently wrong with that. I’m boring too.

Me: Can we be boring together then?

Zach: Why else do you think I still talk to you?

Me: You say the sweetest things.

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