Page 14 of Gin & Sin

“What’s the right etiquette after a hookup with someone you plan to see again?” I ask.

Salem’s face lights up. “Oh my god. Are you smitten?”

“It’s not like that. I just need to know if it would be good or creepy for me to send a follow-up text.”

“Depends what you’re gonna say,” Salem replies in his usual sassy tone. “If it’s ‘hey, I had fun’ then good. If it’s ‘hey, I’m watching you’ then creepy.”

Indy snorts a laugh.

Shaking my head, I chuckle too. “I was thinking ‘how ya feeling, look forward to seeing you again,’ kind of thing.”

“Then good. Any normal person would appreciate it. If he’s a clinger though, he might perceive it as more than it is. You won’t really know until you do it.”

“I don’t think he’s a clinger. He’s mature.” I grin. “And sweet.”

“Hmm. Smitten.” Salem shimmies his shoulders. “I’m calling it now.”

“Please don’t make bets on my love life.”

“Turnabout is fair play,” Salem deadpans as Indy chuckles.

“Alright, alright. Thanks for the tip.”

“You betcha. Super cute that neither of you know how to be anything but a heartbreaker.”

“I’m learning,” Indy says, nuzzling Salem’s cheek.

“And doing quite well.”

“Gag. Get a room.” I roll my eyes.

Indy laughs, dragging Salem down the hall.

I pull my phone out of my pocket, stare at the screen for a second, then decide to keep it simple.

Me: Hey. How ya feeling?

It takes about a minute for the typing dots to pop up, so I lean on the bar, chewing ice cubes while I wait. Ridley is helping one of our newer servers enter orders on the computer system while Bane delivers a basket of wings to a table. Jerryn is on the patio talking to a group who insisted on sitting out there even though it’s way too cold for it in my opinion.

Stewart: Is it over the top to tell you that I feel amazing? If so, deal with it.

He ends the text with a smiling emoji.

Me: Not over the top. The answer I was hoping for. Just wanted to check in.

Stewart: Very considerate. Thank you. Are you back at work?

Me: Yep. It’s not nearly as interesting now though.

Stewart: Is that flirting?

I chuckle as I type out my reply.

Me: Yeah. Did it suck?

Stewart: No. I’m not used to being flirted with so I had to check.

Me: You probably have students falling all over you but you don’t notice.

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