Page 41 of Say It Isn't So

Allegra:Um, you’re married.

Perla:I’m going off memory here. Chill. I never said I’d leave my husband for him.

Allegra:I’m sure Frankie would be happy to hear that.

Perla:Please, he’s sitting next to me reading our text messages. Besides, he already knows he’s it for me.

Maria:You two are sickeningly sweet.

Allegra:You’re one to talk. Need I say his name?

Perla:Ugh, she’s right. I’m so sick of pretending like this whole Dom and Maria thing isn’t a thing.

Maria:Woah, who’s pretending? It isn’t. Dom and I are not a thing. Plus, we’re talking about Knox and Bibi. So on that topic, I’m sure Dad has his reasons.

Allegra:What a Maria response. Dad is overbearing. Especially when it comes to his favorite daughter, and this time is no different.

Perla:All right, Bibi. Get up. I want to hear it from you. What’s going on with you and Knox anyway?

Perla:For what it’s worth, Frankie says if it’s forbidden (which it so obviously is, thank you, Dad), then you should go for it with him. He thinks it makes it hotter. So do I, actually.

Perla:Oh, he wants to make sure it’s clear he’s trying to be a supportive brother-in-law. *eye roll*

Allegra:So she should, what? Just have one good romp in the hay with Mr. Sexypants and then forget about him?

Maria:She does with every other guy she’s been with. Maybe they’re onto something, Bibi.

Allegra:Ouch! On that note, I’m exiting this conversation. Bibi, you better text when you’re awake.

Perla:We’re going, too.

When I finally reached the end of the texts, I brought my feet up to me, pulling my knees to my throat. They weren’t wrong. I mean, it was all valid. And I didn’t care to get too close to men. I wasn’t afraid of commitment, but I had never met anyone I’d seriously considered committing myself to. Then, after losing Mom and seeing the way Dad was so sad about it; how we were all barely putting the broken pieces of ourselves back together; how we were trying to figure out who we were without her. . . . I decided anything serious wasn’t worth it. The fear of loss was just too great.

That was why I commended Perla. She wasn’t afraid of losing Frankie. She enjoyed what time they did have together, instead of dwelling on when it all might end.

Finally, I texted back.

Bianca:Maria has a point there, but it’s different with Knox. For the first time, I actually want to be with this man, and not just in the physical sense. Yes, sex with him would be explosive, I already know it. But we could have more.

Bianca:And I think I want that. . . .

Bianca:Is that nuts?

Allegra:Yes! Yes! Yes! I knew it!

Maria:All right, what’s the problem with you people? Don’t you know how to give this chat a break?

Allegra:Nope. Listen, you missed it, but Bibi likes likes Knox.

Maria:Meaning?

Bianca:I want to give this a real chance and see where it goes.

Bianca:Only thing is, I think I’m in the beginning stages of a love triangle.

Allegra:Oooh, like in soap operas?

Maria:Yeah, or that vampire movie.

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