Page 32 of Unlikely

“Thanks for telling me.”

He winks. “Thanks for listening.”

Closing my door, he leaves me alone with my apprehension and indecisiveness. It’s close to midnight, and I finally enter Zara’s number into my cell and save it. I’m three days too late, but if I don’t send her a text now, I’m going to talk myself into doing the complete opposite of what I actually want to do.

I type and delete. Over and over and over again, eventually settling on something short and straight to the point.

Me: Thank you for all your help the other day.

Because of the time, I don’t expect a reply, but when a message from Zara appears on my screen only minutes later, my face splits into an embarrassingly wide grin, and I almost want to scold myself for taking too long to message herandbeing this excited when she messages me back.

Oh, there you are. I was starting to lose hope that you were going to text.

I almost didn’t.

What changed your mind?

The truth is easier to divulge when she’s a whole house and phone screen away.

My foster brother.

You have a foster brother?

I have four of them.

Wow. I didn’t know that.

I like that I can surprise her, that she doesn’t know everything about me yet, even if Raine does.

Any foster sisters?

Nope. I’m the only girl.

When the bubbles on the screen dance around for too long, I take it upon myself to send her another message.

Why are you still up? Did my message wake you?

No.

I haven’t slept a full night since we moved to L.A.

Don’t you like it here?

I’m liking it more lately.

My cheeks heat at her insinuation.

Are you hitting on me?

My words are an echo of the night we spent together.

I’m seeing where the night takes me.

It gives me confidence that she knows exactly what I’m referencing, that like for me, it isn’t just a night that happened where the details are sketchy and the memories non-existent. I don’t know how much she remembers, but it’s enough to make me feel significant. Enough to make me not regret listening to Remy and texting her.

Are you working tomorrow?

I’m always working. You?