Page 23 of Practically Witches

Hey.

I don’t know if I should acknowledge my pictureblunder or not. For now, I decide not because I need a minute to think of an excuse. I don’t think it’s going to work to deny I did it. Plus, I don’t want to lie.

Z_MAGIC_MAN

How are you feeling? I was worried about you.

My stomach flutters. He was worried.

WishIHadAGirlName7

I’m good.

And he sends a smiley emoji. I want the conversation to go on and on and on, but I have no idea how to answer a smiling emoji. I have no past online communications I can refer to, either.

And by the time I’m finished over thinking whether to send him an emoji, ask how he’s doing, or send a sweet dreams GIF—I decided on the GIF—it’s taken too long.

Z_MAGIC_MAN

Did you fall asleep?

The relief is strong. So strong I send the GIF I had cued up. It’s a teddy bear blowing a kiss while the words sweet dreams float in a cloud over his head. It’s cute.

Z_MAGIC_MAN

Did you just blow me a kiss?

I’m aware that texts can be read in a multitude of ways. I choose to read this one as flirty.

WishIHadAGirlName7

Yeah. I guess I did. Least I can do for the guy who saved me tonight and then carried me inside my house.

I wait a second or two before I hit send because even pushing the button is a testament to how much I want this guy. I’m bold. I do bold things on occasion. Not always out of necessity, either. But this is ringing my bold buzzer.

Then as quickly as I hit send, I get a message back. He is a man with confidence. He sends me a short video of him blowing me a kiss. Not one of an animated teddy bear or an actor from a movie, but him. Zane Bradbury.

Z_MAGIC_MAN

Lunch tomorrow?

I want to say yes, but I want to get to Club Mera early so I’m going to be leaving for downtown right around lunchtime. I’m not even sure I’m going to class at all tomorrow.

WishIHadAGirlName7

Raincheck? I have to take care of something tomorrow and I won’t be there for lunch.

Part of me wants to invite him along. There’s safety in numbers after all. But I don’t want to seem too pushy or forward.

Z_MAGIC_MAN

I could tag along. I haven’t taken a sick day in a while.

While I’m still reading the first message another comes in.

Z_MAGIC_MAN

I wantto get to know you.

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