Page 96 of Shelter
Me:Why darn?
The little dotsbounced on the screen then stopped. A moment passed before they started bouncing again.
Cole:I thought you’d be in it.
Oh my God.Was Cole Whitehurst…flirting…with me?
Cole:I hoped, anyway.
The rushof heat coursing up my body felt unwelcome and dangerous.
Me:Why are you teasing me?
My face flamed,and I wanted to cover it. I actually had to remind myself I was alone. No one could see me.
But I didn’t feel alone. And that was weird.
Cole:While you always were my favorite person to tease, I’m not teasing.
My stomach seizedas I read the words, and he just kept typing.
Cole:I really was hoping to see you tonight.
I pushedup from my chair, needing air… or space… orsomething.This was too much. Even after the shock of seeing him Saturday and hearing all about him from Mama, I hadn’t expected this. Not at all.
Didn’t he hate me?
Of course, if he didn’t, well, that was good, right? I definitely didn’t want him to hate me.
But what did it mean?
I shook my head, not even ready to try to fathom that. I paced the length of the work room three times, reading his words and reeling with every trip.
“Nope,” I said to the empty room. “Nope. I’m not equipped for that.” And before I could change my mind, I fired off six words.
Chapter 22
COLE
Elise:I have to go. Goodnight, Cole.
Damn.
Damn.
Damn.
We’d only been texting for a few minutes, but it already felt like we might be finding our rhythm. Maybe not our old rhythm, but one not too far off. A starting point.
I deflated against the couch cushions just as Ava walked in through the front door. She froze just beyond the threshold.
“What’s the matter?”
I wiped the disappointment from my face and stood. “Nothing. How was your meeting?”
Ava gave me the side-eye as she shut the door behind her. “It was fine,” she said evenly. “And you’re lying.”
Her observation gave me a check. Sober Ava paid a hell of a lot more attention than High Ava ever had. This discovery was like a surprise birthday party. Exciting. Heartwarming. But disorienting. Ava hadn’t paid attention to me in years. Not really.
