Page 82 of I Wanna Text You Up

“Noshit?”

“Yep, and just because you’re ditching our date doesn’t mean I’m ditchingit.”

“I am not ditching. I tried to pull every string I have but I can’t find anyone who’ll cover the shift forme.”

“Uh huh. You just hateme.”

“Your singing and dancing? Maybe. Hate you? Never.” I hear his fork scrape against his plate. “These are really good, by the way. I’ll make a chef out of youyet.”

I turn to him and lift a brow. “Hey, I’ve always been able to make bacon and eggs. I didn’t need your help for thatone.”

“No, you’re right. You just needed my help boiling water,right?”

I go to grab a towel off the counter to throw at him when he lets out ayelp.

“Ow! You littleshit!”

Just then, Mittens runs out from his favorite spot at the bar and over tome.

“Oh really?” Caleb’s eyes are bright with laughter as he grabs his plate and takes it to the sink. “You’ve turned my own cat against me, huh? I talk a little bit of shit and he bites me? That’s so messed up,Zoe.”

I scoop Mittens into my arms and give him a snuggle. “That’s a good little buddy,” I whisper to him. Then I stick my tongue out at Caleb. “Serves you right for being ajerk.”

He presses a kiss to my cheek and ruffles Mitten’shead.

“You.” The grin he gives me makes my knees knock together. Such a simple word, and yet it’s filled to the brim withaffection.

Caleb’s smitten with me, and I can sure as hell tell him the feeling ismutual.

Fourteen

“Coming!”

“That’s what she said!” I holler back through thedoor.

Delia swings it open. “You did not just saythat.”

“Idid.”

She lifts her eyes skyward and waves me inside. “Get the hell in here and hug me, you brat. I haven’t seen you since I moved out. Whatgives?”

I step inside her and Zach’s home and wrap my arms around her. It’s been weeks since I saw her last, but we’ve still talked nearly every day. “I’ve beenbusy.”

She releases me and gives me a look. “Bull.”

“Fine. I wanted to give you a little bit of space with the move, honeymoon period and all that. There was a little bit of sulking and then dealing with my newroomie.”

She gives me a grin as I follow her into the living room. She settles down on the couch and wraps her blanket around her, patting the spot next to her. “Sit and spill. We’ll put something on for background noise and have a glass of wine while wegab.”

“Gab? We don’tgab,Delia.”

“Well we do now, dammit. I miss girl talk with you. I love Zach like crazy, but I need a little estrogen in my life right now. Tell me all about life without me and what it’s like living withCaleb.”

My stomach rolls when she says hisname.

Caleb…the reason I’mhere.

It’s time to tell her how I’m feeling, because every single day, I can feel myself liking him more and more. I can’t let this keep heading in the direction it is without Deliaknowing.

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