Page 42 of Come to Me

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"Ah, so this is what it feels like to be you," she teases.

I nod sagely.

"Yes."

"This is so weird. I can't even remember the last time I did a video chat." Her voice is slightly slurred, like she's had a few drinks.

"I'm not sure that I ever have."

"Like you didn't have some college girlfriend who begged to see you naked over break," she scoffs.

I shake my head. "You're the only girl I'd ever get naked on camera for."

She blushes, biting her lip. I can see she didn't expect that answer. "I really, um... enjoyed that video you sent me."

I grin.

"Enjoyed, huh?"

She laughs. "Yes. I didenjoyit."

I want to keep going in this direction. But I want to talk too.

"How are you, Ally? We've barely talked all week."

She shrugs.

"I'm... busy."

"Well, how was dinner?"

"You know. It was dinner." She grimaces slightly, shrugging.

"Tell me anyway."

"Why? It's boring."

"It's not boring to me," I protest. "Did something happen?"

"A dozen people from the production went out to dinner. And we had drinks. Ellen and Nicholas claim it's a tradition. To get drunk before the first day of Previews, I mean."

"And?"

"I had a few drinks."

"What did you eat?"

She throws me a side eye. "This again?"

"Humor me."

"I don't know. I ate food. Some kind of salad. It was very healthy and wholesome and exactly what I should be eating."

She's always resistant to talking about her recovery, but this is something else. Something more. "Ally, what's up? You're defensive."

She sighs.

"You always think I'm defensive."

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