Page 35 of The Off-Limits Rule: Extended Edition

Now I’m the one who needs a notepad.Someone get me a notepad!“Okay, flirty and innocuous. Got it.” I don’t got it—and Sasha suspects as much.

“Just sayHiwith a little smiley face.”

“That’s it?” I ask with wide, frantic eyes. My chest is constricting. My breath is too short. How do I know if I’m having a heart attack?

Carrie laughs and takes over. “Yes. That’s it. And then if he responds, go from there. Keep the conversation short and minimal. Don’t give away too much that you’re interested in him. And whatever you do, do not respond right away. Oh, also, it’s best to ghost him after four texts, especially if he asks what you’re up to, so you can leave him wanting more. Don’t respond for two days.”

“Two?!”

“Two. Don’t mess it up,” Sasha warns, turning back to sit properly in her seat.

—

Thirty minutes after we close the door behind my new BFFs, Sasha and Carrie, I stare down at my phone and type out exactly what I was instructed to send.

Jessie hovers over my shoulder, breathing on my neck and making me even more nervous. But there’s no going back. I’ve decided in my head that Cooper is worth it. Plus, I’ve already embarrassed myself in front of him several times. Really, I’ve got nothing to lose.

Lucy:Hi:)

“Oh gosh, I did it!” I say, dropping my phone onto the counter like it suddenly morphed into molten lava.

“Yep. Now we wait.” Jessie puts her hands on her lower back to ease the ache. It’s hard enough being a hairdresser when you’re not pregnant, but with the added weight in the front, it’s total death to your back. Even so, I know Jessie is touchy about this subject, and she would rip my head off if I asked if she’s feeling okay because, for some reason, she doesn’t like to show any signs of weakness.

I swallow down the lump of regret in my throat as I stare at my phone again.What if he doesn’t respond?“I guess we don’t have to hover over my phone like the Grim Reaper until he responds. I’m going to go sweep up.”

I get two steps away and then hear it ping. I race back and snatch it from the counter before Jessie gets the chance.

Cooper:Hi back:)

“Ughhhh.Hi back?! Sasha didn’t prepare me for that reply!” Of course he would respond like that—with way more game than anyone should ever have. Why didn’t I get Sasha’s number?!

Jessie’s eyes are wide too, and she puts her hands out in front of her in the classicsettle downgesture. “Okay, let’s just take a breath. She said not to respond right away anyway. Let’s harness our inner rich goddess and see what reply pops into our heads.”

“I don’t have enough self-tanner in my bloodstream to fully harness mine.”

“Oooh, I know!” she nearly shouts. “Say…Sup?”

I gawk at her. “Sup?!What am I, a frat guy in a salmon shirt and little shorts with anchors printed on them?”

“Well, do you have any better ideas?”

“Yes. I’m going to the cellphone store and changing my number. Problem solved.”

Jessie is about to tell me I’m off my rocker when another text comes through, and we both scream like someone just jumped out of a closet and yelledBOO!

Cooper:What have you been upto?

“Okay, okay, okay, that’s good. He’s interested. He’s keeping the conversation going. Now, do exactly what Sasha said and ghost him.”

“Too late. I sent a reply while you were talking,” I say, trying to angle my phone away so she can’t judge.

“You didn’t.”

“I did.”

She shakes her head, looking exasperated. “What did you say?”

I reluctantly show her my text.

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