Page 35 of You Again

I’m counting in my head and trying not to panic, when—ping.

Crap.

“Let it be Fran. Let it be Fran. Let it be—” I peek at my phone. “Ugh. Not Fran.”

Zev: Hey. I thought maybe you threw my number out.

He’s been waiting to hear from me? I can’t imagine Mr. Hayes needing to wait on anyone. The man is built and cute and sweet. And, while I’m not looking, I still clearly see him.

I can no longer trust Siri. She has no concept of sarcasm or when to send and not send a message. So, I pull up my big girl pants, take two more Advil, and write the man back—old-fashioned style—with my fingers.

Me: I wasn’t sure what to say.

Zev: Anything. I could use a friend. Maybe you could, too. And we do keep running into one another…

That’s true enough.

Me: I could use a friend.

Zev: Do you want to grab dinner? Dutch—because I speak English and I’ve heard you. Friend.

Me: Dinner would be nice—but I’m sick.

And in truth, I’m not sure it’s a great idea. Zev is too sweet. Too cute. And I am too human to not feel some sort of attraction. Even in my broken brain state. Even with the memory of Robert looming.

Me: Like, possibly on my deathbed sick.

Zev: What’s wrong?

Me: Just a flu. It’s kicking my butt.

Zev: I could bring you a new book.

Me: Reading kills my eyes. I haven’t even read the one you already gave me. Seriously… I’m so bored.

Zev: Ahhh… now I see why you’ve texted.

Me: You caught me.

Zev: That’s okay. I don’t mind being your backup boredom buster.

Me: Nice alliteration.

Zev: What if I brought dinner to you?

Me: So I can share this nasty bug with you? I don’t think so. Our friendship is too new for such cruelty. We’d never make it.

Zev: Oh ye of little faith... Besides, I got a flu shot.

Me: Clearly, I did not.

Zev: Does that mean operation chicken soup is a go?

Me: No. And just FYI, whenever you use the phrase “operation anything,” it gives away that you might be a dork.

Zev: I thought we were both dorky. We met reading, then again at a bookstore.

Me: That doesn’t make me dorky. It makes me well-read.