Page 18 of The Weight Of It All

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He’s fine. Whinging that he’s sore every time he moves, but fine.

Then a complete text conversation happened between them without me.

That’s good. Will he be in tomorrow for his session?

Yes, he’ll be there.

Good.

Can I ask you something?

Sure.

Henske. Is it German?

Yes.

How old are you?

31.

“Thirty-one?” I mumbled. “God, he looks twenty-two.”

Henry just said, “Shit you don’t look that old.” LOL These are all the questions Henry was too scared to ask you, by the way.

That’s fine. Can I ask you something?

Anika did a little dance in her seat and quickly typed out her reply.

Yes.

“No,” I interrupted. “Can I have my phone back please?”

Anika grinned. “Nope.”

Then my phone beeped again with Reed’s next message.

Is Henry always so funny?

Anika quickly replied.

Always. Except for now. He’s pissed I won’t give him his phone back.

Then she snapped a photo of me and sent it before I could stop her.

She slid my phone back to me with a laugh. Then, in a sing-song voice, she said, “He thinks you’re funny.”

“Still on that island of not interested,” I said, now frowning at the horrible photo of me she sent him. “Youcan pay for lunch,” I told her then quickly typed out a response to Reed, speaking the words out loud as I typed. “This is Henry. Apologies for Anika’s questions. Just so you know, she’s been demoted to worst best friend ever.” I gave Anika a snarly glare. “Yes, I’ll be there tomorrow at eight.”

His reply was almost immediate.

Are you eating at Tre Vini? The background of your photo looks familiar. I love that place.

I texted straight back.

Yes! First time here. Great food. I wanted pasta. But just so you know, I had the healthiest thing on the menu.

Good man! Enjoy your carbo-coma. See you tomorrow.

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