Page 108 of I Wanna Text You Up

“Just think, you hated me not fifteen minutesago.”

“Hate is a strong word. Let’s just say I wasn’t your biggestfan.”

“Andnow?”

“You’re okay, or at least you will be when you buy mebreakfast.”

He nuzzles my neck again, the contact sending a chill through me. “Thank you for coming out here with me. I’ve never seen anything like this before. It’sbreathtaking.”

“Told you there was nothing like it. I’m glad you cajoled me out of bed to seeit.”

“Cajoled,huh?”

“That’s fancy talk forcoaxed.”

He laughs, his mouth vibrating against my skin. “I know what cajoled means,Zoe.”

“Hey, just checking. I know I don’t brain well when I haven’t had mycoffee.”

“Are you saying you want to get breakfastnow?”

I push off the ground in a rush and grab at the blanket he has wrapped around him. “I mean, if you’reoffering…”

He takes the hint and stands, shaking the sand off the other blanket as best he can then foldingit.

“Back to the housethen?”

“Oh no. We’re going to That Pancake Joint. It’s only about half a mile up theroad.”

“You sure you don’t want to go back and changefirst?”

I glance down at what I’m wearing. “Why? You embarrassed to be seen withme?”

“Not atall.”

“Uh huh. So what you’re saying is I’m looking buttass ugly right now and need to gochange.”

“What?No!”

“But you thinkIthink I look thatway?”

He shakes his head back and forth, eyes wide. “I’m so confused right now, and a little scared of sayinganything.”

Laughing, I pat his shoulder as I walk by. “Shit, Caleb. I’m giving you shit. Come on, we don’t want to hit the breakfastrush.”

* * *

“Rosco! My man!”

I high-five the guy standing behind the counter at That PancakeJoint.

“Zoe! How the hell yabeen?”

“Pretty good. Been busy as hell with school, but you know how that goes. You almost finished with yourdegree?”

He smiles broadly. “I graduate at the end of thesummer.”

“Nice!”

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