Page 32 of Collide
Morning, little hobbit. Still in bed? Or already off-stealing hearts today?
Stealing hearts? Me? I scoff at myself. If only he knew.
I can’t help but smile at the ‘little hobbit’ message. Maybe we’ll watchLord of the Ringstogether one day. The thought makes my chest flutter. He’s got a way of making me feel like I’m the only person on his mind.
I bite my lip, unsure of how to respond. I decide on a casual text.
Elena
Good morning, Alex. Staying in, doctor’s orders! What about you?
After a refreshing shower, I slip into a soft pink lounge set and crawl back into bed. Laptop balanced on my knees, Icheck my phone—still no reply from Alex. I sigh, disappointment creeping in as I scroll through my messages.
Then, without thinking, I call Riley. I just need to hear her voice.
“Elena!” Riley sings into the phone, her voice bright and bubbly.
“Hey babe,” I reply, trying to sound casual, but the excitement I’m feeling is hard to hide.
“How’s it hanging?” she asks.
“A little to the left.” I laugh, though my smile fades almost instantly. I hesitate, then say it out loud. “Alex asked me on a date.”
Without missing a beat, Riley blurts out, “Say yes.”
“But I barely know him,” I protest, even though I know deep down, I’m already half-tempted.
“That’s exactly what dates are for,” she quips. “Getting to know someone.” She laughs knowingly. “I mean, it’s not like you’ve actuallydatedas an adult.”
She’s not wrong. I’ve never really had the chance to explore that side of things.
A movie date with a boy Ithoughtliked me, only to get ditched. An awkward invite to a high school dance. It had been so long,years, since I’d even gone out with a guy.
None of it counted.
They weren’tdates.
Not the way Alex meant it.
“Okay, maybe we could hang out as friends, or would that be weird?” I ask, fidgeting with my notebook.
“Um, no! Do whatever you’re ready for,” Riley exclaims. “You said he’s handsome, right?” She’s practically shouting now.
Handsomeis too small a word for him. He has the kind of face that makes you burn with desire, and so tall, it’s almost intimidating. Eyes as deep and stormy as the sea—dangerous,enticing, and far too easy to get lost in. Am I willing to surrender myself to it? I bite my lip, feeling that familiar ache in my chest.
“Listen, babe, I can’t talk right now, but I’ll text you at lunch. You have my permission to go have some fun,as friendsor otherwise, though I hope for your sake, you pick the latter.” She ends the call before I can protest.
With Riley’s reassurance, I start typing a witty text to Alex—something cheeky, just flirty enough—when my phone buzzes.
My heart jumps.
No caller IDflashes across the screen.
“Riley?” I pick up.
“Elena.”
It’s him. The way my name rolls off his lips makes my skin tingle.
