Over her shoulder, she said, "And next time, I'll keep things lighter, I promise."
And then, she was gone.
Lighter?
What didthatmean?
Chapter 25
Harper
When my cell phone rang, I sat up straighter on my aunt's sofa.It was Bryce.
Well, that was weird.Although we'd exchanged phone numbers and had done a little texting here and there, this was the first time he'd actually called me.
Embarrassingly, I didn't even have to check the screen to know it was him, because I had assigned to him his very own ringtone – something all lovey-dovey even though we weren't in an actual relationship.
It was silly, and yet I hadn't been able to stop myself – just like I couldn’t seem to stop myselfnowfrom answering his call rather than letting it go to voicemail. Even worse, my heart gave an annoying little flutter as I answered with what I hoped was a perfectly calm hello.
With a smile in his voice, he said, "Hey."
And of course, I couldn’t stop myself from smiling in return. "Hey yourself."
"So, what are you doing?"
Even though the question was casual, I wasn't quite sure how to take it. Last week, I'd seen him every single day.Thisweek, I'd seen him only once – on Monday, when I'd spent far too long whining about my own problems.
It was true that he'd made some good points, which I was trying to take to heart, but I could only imagine how boring I'd been, rambling on and on about my cousin and sister – two people he had never met.
In the end, the only way I'd been able to stop myself was to literally get up and leave before Ireallybored him.
This was two days ago, and I had figured he would be happy with the break.But then, he'd actually called.
What didthatmean?
He couldn’t be missing me.Could he?
On the phone, he asked, "You still there?"
Oh, crap.I forced a laugh. "Yeah, sorry. I'm um, spending time with the kittens."
"Oh, yeah?"
I smiled. "Yup, we're all snuggled up on the couch. It's really cozy."And it was.Pepper and Pebbles had been frolicking with the others until maybe fifteen minutes ago, when they'd bounded onto my lap for some cuddle time. Next to me, Miss Lucy was snuggled against my hip, all warm and content – or at least, that's the way she looked as she nestled closer.
On the phone, Bryce asked, "Should I be jealous?"
I loved how he did that – teased me without being awful. It was a quality I envied because my own mouth was always getting me into trouble.
Trying to do better, I replied in the same teasing tone. "Well, theyarereally cute."
"Yeah, but what about the abs?"
I laughed. "What about them?"
"You'd better not say they've got them, or I'm in trouble."
Hewasn't in trouble.Iwas, because it wasn't only his abs that I liked. With a smile, I asked, "And why's that?"
