Page 209 of Let's Play

“Oh my God, Molls. Your imagination is an active place,” Ava says.

“Forgive me for watching Dateline and not wanting my sister to get hacked to pieces and stuffed in a trash bag and thrown off a cliff.”

“Uh, baby, that might be a bit of stretch.”

“A bit of stretch? Is that what you’re going to say when we’re attending Ashley’s memorial service?”

“Chill. Here, I have a pic of him. Well, his torso.” To placate my sister, I grab my phone and click on the app. His profile pic appears, and I hand over my phone.

“Those are some nice abs,” Ava says.

“They are,” Ev agrees. “And is he holding a Maine Coon?”

“Nice abs? He can be a serial killer and have nice abs. Besides, how do you know he didn’t download that pic from the internet? Oh, I think that is a Maine Coon.”

I roll my eyes and snatch my phone back. Looking at our string of messages, I see that he replied an hour ago, so I message back.

Seriousley617: Glad you had a good dinner. We had fun here too, and I ate my weight in pumpkin pie.

Catlover99: A solid choice. And now I’m hungry again. Dammit.

Seriousley617: haha. Listen, I need you to tell my sister you’re not a serial killer. I know we never divulge too much personal info on here, but…

Catlover99: But since you’re meeting me for coffee Saturday morning, you want to make sure my fridge and basement aren’t full of bodies.

Seriousley617: Something like that. And we’re meeting for coffee, huh?

Catlover99: Yea, if that’s cool with you? Shit. This is my not-remotely-smooth way of asking if you want to get coffee with me on Saturday.

Seriousley617: That sounds perfect. But I still need an answer on the serial killer question.

Catlover99: Sends pic of freezer. It’s empty except for a bag of peas.

Catlover99: I live on the fourth floor, so no basement. But I promise I’m not a murderer. I don’t have the time.

Seriousley617: (laughing emoji)

Seriousley671: My sister says she’s watching you. And though she has no actual way of doing that, you may want to watch your step.

Catlover99: Noted. So, you’re still doing the fam thing?

Seriousley617: Yep. I’m at my dad’s. There are at least twenty-five other people here.

Catlover99: Damn.

Seriousley671: You had plans? sends heart eye emojis

Catlover99: I’m not opposed to “plans” *cue sex music*, but I was kind of hoping to hear your voice.

Seriousley671: Sadly, there is no privacy here. Case in point, three people are reading this message over my shoulder as I text it. So, you’ll just have to wait for our coffee date on Saturday.

Seriousley617: Forget I said that. Not date. Meet. Coffee-Meet.

Catlover99: Nope. You said it. It’s already out in the universe.

Seriousley617: (sends pic of turtle hiding in its shell)

Catlover99: Can’t wait for our coffee date. :)

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