Page 88 of Tempting Him

Alek:It won’t happen again.

Me:Good. So, how are you?

Alek:I’m okay. You?

Me:Same. Okay.

A few minutesgo by before he replies, and I stare at my screen the entire time.

Alek:No birthday plans?

Me:I’m leaving a club now. Going home.

Alek:Well, I didn’t mean to take up a lot of your time. I wanted to wish you a happy birthday and say congratulations on graduating. Luther tells me you’re doing great at work.

Me:You’re asking Luther about me?

Alek:Of course. Keeping tabs on my employees.

Me:All of them?

Alek:Just my favorites.

I smile at my phone,feeling an insane amount of happiness at just a few words.

Me:How many favorites do you have?

Alek:One

A laugh escapesthrough my lips as my euphoria builds.

Me:Nice to know.

Alek:Goodnight, Jay.

My smile dropsat his abrupt goodbye and I don’t reply until I’m inside the house.

Me:Goodnight.

* * *

The music festivalis pretty long, so I show up around three-thirty, shortly after it starts, and talk to a few people I know as well as make new friends with other festival goers. It’s the extrovert in me.

Around five, I stand under the shade of a tree, talking to the other people who worked on marketing this festival before heading to a food stand and chatting with the girl working it.

Bryant finds me a little later, and we sit on the grass watching the bands for about an hour before I get up to find a bathroom. On the way there, I run into Linda and end up talking to her and her friend for half an hour as we browse the tables of local small businesses.

Once I’m done with the bathroom, I check my phone and read messages from Trevor and Renzo, telling me they’re on their way. I go back to Alek’s message thread and debate whether I should text him. I chew on my lip, my fingers hovering over the keys.

Alek:What are you doing?

On instinct,my head snaps up and my eyes roam the surrounding area, wondering if he’s here. Was it just a coincidence?

Me:I’m at the festival. You?

Alek:Ah. The festival. You enjoying yourself?

Me:I guess.

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