Page 56 of You Make Me Feel
I laugh under my breath, right as my phone buzzes again in my pocket. It’s ridiculous how fast my pulse reacts, like my heart already knows who it is.
As Romy throws her bag onto the passenger seat, I pull my phone out and sneak a peek at the screen.
Aftercare. I want you to know it’s a thing. No walking away like last time, okay? – Zach
Oh wow, that’s too sweet. And I like it way too much.
Mostly because I’m going to work you so hard you won’t be able to walk. – Zach
I bark out a laugh at that one. He’s so unpredictable. And I like that.
He’s been sending messages all day, apart from a few hours after he went to the mainland. Questions about what I want to wear, how far I’d run, how loud I’d scream when he caught me. I haven’t answered half of them. But I plan to tonight when I’m alone and can concentrate.
Because he’s doing this for me. And I hope he gets something out of it, too. I mean, he should, right? He’s going to hunt me, touch me, and apparently work me so hard I can’t walk.
I can at least return the favor this time.
Romy snaps her fingers in front of my face. “Earth to Sadie.”
I blink. “Sorry. I was just thinking about good burial spots.”
Her eyes soften. “Thank you for letting me vent this afternoon.”
“Any time.” I hug her tight, then step back as she climbs into her car.
When her taillights disappear down Main Street, I shake my head with a smile and pull my phone back out, because I’m enjoying messaging with Zach way too much.
You know, this is starting to feel like a very dirty job interview. I’m worried I’m going to say the wrong thing and lose the position to Amanda from accounts. – Sadie
His reply comes back almost instantaneously.
Amanda from accounts laughs like a horse. And she uses comic sans in her email signature. She’s a definite nofrom me. The job’s already yours if you want it, beautiful. – Zach
My laugh slips out before I can stop it, loud enough that a couple walking past glance my way. I cover it with a cough, biting back a grin. Of course he’s quick. Of course he’s funny. And damn it, of course he called me beautiful.
Amanda’s going to be devastated. I heard she has a crush on you. – Sadie
That so? Shame she’s blonde. I prefer redheads with smart mouths. – Zach
My breath catches, right there in the middle of Main Street.
Okay, so now I’m blushing. – Sadie
Apparently flirting over text is my thing now.
My phone starts to vibrate, and Zach’s name flashes across the screen.
My stomach flips.He’s calling me?
For a second I just stare at it, torn between answering and throwing the phone into the nearest bush. Then I swipe to accept.
“Hi,” I manage, my voice softer than I mean it to be.
“Hi.” It’s weird how warm hearing his low, gritty voice makes me feel. “Where are you?” he asks.
I look around. “In the street outside the shop.”
There’s a smile in his voice. “Talk dirty to me.”
