Page 85 of I Wanna Text You Up

More wine is poured into her glass. She shakes the bottle my way, but I decline. “Driving,” I tellher.

“Right. So how are things in the roommate department? You know, other than you wanting to get down and dirty withhim.”

“They aren’t bad. He spent a lot of the first couple weeks being gone all the time, but things are settling and now he’s home a lot more. That part has beenamazing.”

“And the badparts?”

“He uses all my body wash and he always conveniently forgets to wear shirts. Oh, and he cockblocked me the first night we wentout.”

“Back up—why were you on the prowl if you have the hots forCaleb?”

“Well, I wasn’t on the prowl, but an opportunity arose, and he deemed it his duty to make sure I didn’t go home with anyone buthim.”

“Thatso?”

“Yep. That was the first night wekissed.”

“And has it progressed sincethen?”

“Emotionally? Sort of. I mean, I like him more than I did that night, but I’m scared, youknow?”

“Scared of what?” she asks. “OfCaleb?”

“Not likeofhim, more of what he makes me feel, makes me want…something stable and normal.” I send her an accusatory glare. “This is all yourfault.”

“Mine?” She reels back. “What in the hell did Ido?”

“You had to go and fall in love and shit. Seeing you and Zach together made me all mushy inside. I’ve had a horrible track record with dudes, and that’s why I’ve always been more of a friends with benefits kind of girl, but ever since you got all googly-eyed over Zach, I’ve wanted more for myself. I want what you twohave.”

“I want that for you too, Zoe. It’s the most amazing and infuriating feeling in theworld.”

“Infuriating?”

“Well, at least with Zach. Dude is exhaustingsometimes.”

“You know I can hear you two, right?” His voice trails up the stairs leading to thebasement.

“Quit eavesdropping, youturd!”

“Quit talking so loud, you really good bestfriend!”

Delia gets that goofy grin across her face again. “See? He’simpossible.”

“He’s a goodguy.”

“He knows!” Zachcalls.

I ignore him and continue. “And he’s not wrong. You really are a good best friend, Delia, like the best of the best. Someone needs to get you atrophy.”

“Oh, a trophy! I like shiny things.” She claps her hands together. “But in all seriousness, Zoe, I don’t think you have anything to be afraid of. When you fall inlove—”

I hold my hand up to stop her. “Hey now, no one said anything about falling inlove.”

She mutters something. “Fine. When you really like someone, and the universe or fate or whatever you want to call it says you two go together like cheese andbread—”

“Uh,what?”

“Grilled cheese. Keepup.”