Page 40 of Examining the Bond

I stare down at the messages from Dr. Morales, my heart racing a million miles a minute. As much as I wanted to talk to her again, I never imagined that she would text me. This has to be breaking some kind of rule…

But I guess it’s not any worse than fucking her in her office.

Heat flares across my cheeks, and my stomach somersaults as I shakily type out a reply.

Hey, I’m good. Great actually.

I hit send before I talk myself out of it and wait, my heart beating hard in my chest. Three little dots pop up and the seconds drag by before another message appears.

Skylar: I’m glad to hear that. I was… worried.

Worried?

Skylar: That I’d really fucked things up.

I swallow over the lump forming in my throat, my numb fingers racing over the screen.

I started it, remember?

Skylar: Yeah, well, I finished it, didn’t I?

That earns a laugh, and my cheeks begin to ache. I realize I’ve been grinning this entire time, and the smile won’t go away.

You’re so ridiculous, Riann.

I guess it’s my turn to finish it next time then.

The dots appear.

Then disappear.

My stomach sinks.

The dots appear again.

Skylar: Maybe. ;)

Skylar: I did want to ask you something. Feel free to say no.

Skylar: Can I come by your room?

My jaw drops so hard it aches, and I forget to breathe for several beats.

Skylar wants to come…here?

I give the boring room a once-over, wishing I was somewhere more glamorous for her to visit. But my disappointment is quickly replaced by an impossible giddiness that has me scrambling off the bed.

The room might look like hell, but that doesn’t mean I have to. I hurry to the bathroom and grab my brush.

Sure. When?

My phone pings almost instantly.

Skylar: Now.

My stomach cartwheels again, my pulse lurching.

Room 311