Page 118 of Engulfing Emma

Brett: Pretty great. Leo was happy to see me. My sister was here.

Does he know that wasn’t what I was asking?

Me: That’s nice. How about Amanda?

Brett: She left.

Me: I thought she was staying until tomorrow.

Brett: She tried to seduce me. We got into a fight. I told her I was most definitely with you and she and I would never be together. I offered to get her a hotel for the night. She threw red wine on me, then she left with all her stuff. I don’t think she’s coming back anytime soon.

Once my brain gets around the part where she tried to seduce him, I’m deliriously happy that he rejected her and said he was with me.

Brett: Emma, are you smiling? I think I can see it from here.

I look over and could swear he winks at me.

Me: She threw wine at you? That’s awful.

Brett: I miss you. Is that weird?

Me: Not so much.

Brett: You miss me too?

Me: Maybe.

Brett: I’ll take maybe. Would you consider taking your shirt off?

My jaw drops when I read his text. I look up and see him laughing.

Me: I thought you were serious.

Brett: I was. Sort of. I mean I really really want to see you naked. But I’m not willing to risk every Joe Schmo on the street seeing you too.

Me: How about a rain check?

Brett: Now you’re talking.

Me: Monday night?

Brett: I won’t be able to think of anything else when I’m at work. Maybe you could send me a nudie picture to get me through.

I look up at him to see him laughing again. Who knew he had such a sense of humor? Suddenly I’m anxious to know everything about him.

Brett: You’re so easy.

Me: Nobody’s called me that since high school.

Brett: A joke? I knew you were funny.

I try to support my weight on the windowsill, wanting to continue texting, but I can barely keep my eyes open.

Brett: I don’t want to keep you. We both need sleep. Put your hand on the window.

Me: Why?

Brett: Just do it.

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