Page 68 of Jingle Bell Jilt
“I’m sorry, am I boring you?” I ask in annoyance.
She smiles up at me. “No,” she turns the laptop toward me. “But you’ll never know for sure if he hates you if you don’t ask him. Now, pick what time you want to fly out.”
* * *
You don’t thinkI booked a flight right then, do you? Do you think I learned nothing from this experience? I’ve learned many things. But the relevant ones for right now are: One, Maggie is too impulsive. And two, I have to make my own decisions.
I don’t even know where Evan is. For all I know, he could be back in New Hampshire, and I don’t know where in New Hampshire he lives.
That thought makes my fingers still on my phone. But that’s what I’m supposed to be doing, right? Spending more time with him and getting to know him better so that I know things like where in New Hampshire he lives.
I pull up my contacts and find the number. My hands shake because I don’t even know how to start this conversation.
I close my eyes and funnel all my courage into my fingers and thumbs.
Hey Nathan, I need a favor.
As far as openers to conversations go, it’s not terrible. It contains a pleasant greeting and then gets right to the point.
The dots appear next to Nathan’s picture.
Now, the last thing I want to do is talk to him. But he’s a means to an end. I should make him a t-shirt that says that.
I swallow my pride, and my gum as it turns out, and type again.
Please?
Nathan
Well well well look whos talking to me
I roll my eyes so hard.
Yep. I’m talking to you.
I would really like to add a few choice names at the end of that, but it feels like pressing my luck on the favor.
Nathan
I told you not to come crawling back to me but I’ve missed you so I accept your apology
Uhhh
Okay, this is awkward.
Actually, I’m hoping you’ll text Evan for me and find out if he’s in Orlando or New Hampshire.
Nathan
text him yourself
I don’t want the first he hears from me to be by text. We need to talk face-to-face.
Three dots appear and then disappear. Then appear again and disappear again. Apparently, Nathan was not anticipating my response to his kind offer. Finally, words appear.
Nathan
why would I do that
