Page 7 of The Little Black Book

“This one wasn’t fake,” I say before she can continue her warning. “She seemed very pleased to hear from me, if the exclamation points are any indication.”

“Exclamation points?”

“I’ll send you a screenshot later,” I say with a laugh. “Anyway, she sent me her address and we have plans for seven on Friday night. When I texted her that I’d see her then, she sent back the emojis. What do I even do with that?”

“Exclamation pointsandemojis? Sounds like you’ve got a live one on your hands.”

“You’re supposed to be helping me,” I say, wishing she could see my narrowed eyes through the call.

“Okay, okay. I’m done. I promise. And I’d say no response needed. Think of the emojis as one big exclamation point to end your conversation.”

“Goodbye, Zoey,” I say firmly, and musical laughter bursts out of her.

“Text me the details,” she calls out just before I end the call.

“One big exclamation point, indeed,” I mumble as I take a screenshot of my conversation with Stacey and send it to Zoey.

Me:*pic sent*

Me:See what I mean?

Zoey:Oh, yeah. I mean, it is a little overkill, but hardly a deal-breaker. I say give her a chance!

Me:Stop.

Zoey:That’s alright! That’s okay! We’ve got spirit, anyway!

Me:Stop.

Zoey:Not until you tell me the right way!

Me:Fuck, you can be annoying when you want to. Stop!!!!!!!

Zoey:That’s the spirit!

Zoey:Seriously. I’m done. I’m sure Stacey is a wonderful woman, and you’re going to have a great date. And if you don’t, I’ll be there to tell you where you went wrong.

Me:Thanks, Z. I really do appreciate what you’re doing for me.

Zoey:No problem! See you Friday night! Don’t forget to text me the details! Bye-eeeeeee!

A laugh barks out of me, unbidden, and I shake my head. I refuse to respond to that last message. It’ll only encourage her.

Zoey:*laughing emoji* *clown face emoji* *scissors emoji* *eggplant emoji* *blood droplets emoji*

“What the fuck?” I whisper as I try to decipher the chain of emojis.

Is Zoey sending a clown to cut my dick off with a pair of scissors? What in the hell…?

Zoey:Relax and stop trying to read meaning into it. I was just fucking with you.

And now she’s a mind reader. An evil, demented mind reader.

Zoey:*devil emoji*

Yep. She’s psychic.

And I might be in over my head.

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