Page 25 of Beyond the Lines
“No idea.” When Em’s jaw drops, I add defensively, “What? We only exchanged first names.”
“Are you serious?” Em stares at me like I’ve just admitted to not knowing how to use a smartphone. “How are we supposed to properly vet him?”
“By talking to him a few more times?” I suggest. “You know, like normal people did before Instagram?”
“Oh, honey.” Em pats my hand condescendingly. “You sweet summer child. That’s so… retro.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“It wasn’t meant as one.” She shakes her head. “But fine, be all mysterious and old-school. Just promise me one thing?”
“What?”
“When you do find out his last name, we’re doing a deep dive.” She grins. “I need to know if there are any photos of him in a cowboy hat.”
I laugh. “Deal.”
“Speaking of food…” Em glances at her phone. “Want to grab breakfast? The dining hall has these amazing chocolate chip pancakes on Saturdays.”
“That sounds perfect, but I’m catching up with my brother,” I sigh, suddenly regretting agreeing to bagels, despite the inquisition from Em. “Catch up later?”
“Perfect!” Em bounces off my bed. “Butpromiseme you’ll text him.”
“Em…”
“Just a quick ‘had fun last night’ text,” she insists. “Trust me.”
I pick up my phone, staring at Declan’s number. Maybe Em’s right. Maybe I’m overthinking this. Maybe?—
“Oh my God, you’re totally having an internal debate right now, aren’t you?” Em groans. “Give me that.”
“Don’t you dare!” I clutch my phone to my chest protectively.
“Then text him!” She throws her hands up in exasperation. “Seriously, what’s the worst that could happen?”
He could be like Chris,my mind whispers again.
But I push the thought away. Declan isn’t Chris. Chris never looked at me the way Declan did last night, like I was fascinating, like every word I said mattered. And if there’s going to be anything between us, he deserves to be judged on his merits, not up against some other guy who broke my heart.
“Fine.” I sigh and unlock my phone. “But if this backfires, I’m blaming you.”
“I accept full responsibility.” Em mimes crossing her heart. “Now hurry up!”
I type out a quick message:
Thanks for rescuing me from that party last night. The diner was definitely an upgrade.
“There.” I show Em the screen. “Happy?”
“Ecstatic.”
Only a second after I hit send, my phone buzzes, screenstill facing Em. I snatch it back, resisting the urge to check it immediately, not sure if it’s Declan or not butdesperatelyhoping it is, despite every brain cell telling me not to get pulled in by the lure of this guy.
Em exhales slowly through her nose. “You’re allowed to look, you know.”
I pull out my phone, trying to ignore the way my heart races when I see Declan’s name on the screen, and read:
So I tried drawing you last night, but I couldn’t quite capture that “I’m plotting your demise” look you gave me when you threw the French toast at my head. So I’m afraid I’m going to need to see you for a coffee later to conduct a second study on my subject…
