Page 43 of The Wrong Heart

I’ll take that as a sign.

Me:What are you doing tonight? Nothing too specific, obviously, but I need to know you’re out there killing it—unlike me, who is wallowing on her parents’ ultra-90s couch with food regret, mismatched socks, and an overwhelming desire to watchAre You Afraid of the Dark?reruns.

Not thinking he’s going to see my message right away, I set my phone down on the little side table next to the couch—the same old oak table I remember picking up at a garage sale when I was seven or eight.

There are rooster drawer handles.

Smiling to myself, I ponder whether or not Zephyr will even know what television show I’m talking about. I’ve been trying to figure out what the seventy-nine in his e-mail address alludes to, and birth year is statistically the most probable. That would make him… forty-two.

I’m startled when my phone instantly vibrates, and I snatch it up, my eyes scanning the reply.

Zephyr:I’ll sound a lot cooler if I lie to you.

A grin pulls at my lips.

Me:Fair enough. I’m expecting gold now, though… no pressure.

Zephyr:I’m fantastic under pressure. Picture this: Gloucestershire, England, UK.

Me:Fancy.

Zephyr:I know. But it gets better… there’s cheese.

Me:Cheese?

Zephyr:Yeah. A nine-pound wheel of double Gloucester cheese.

Me:The mental image is a bit unclear, and also bizarre. Go on.

Zephyr:It’s a race down Cooper’s Hill. There’s danger, intrigue, steep hills, stones, and sharp objects. The speed of the cheese is harrowing at best.

Me:The speed of the cheese? I thought you were eating the cheese.

Zephyr:No. I’m rollingthe cheese. It’s a cheese-rolling race, and it’s highly competitive.

A laughter-infused snort escapes my lips, and it takes a moment to gather my bearings.

Me:I’m dying over here.

Zephyr:I hope not. Who will celebrate my victory when I become the cheese champion?

Me:Stoppp. I can’t stop laughing. What do you even win?

Zephyr:I’m not sure. Google hasn’t told me that yet. But I really hope it’s cheese because I’m suddenly crazy hungry.

My smile is so wide, my cheeks ache.

Me:That was great. I feel better about my inadequate life now.

Zephyr:I’m here to help.

Nibbling my lip, I debate my next reply. While I enjoy our light and witty conversations, part of me is craving more. I promised I wouldn’t ask him anything personal, but…

Me:Hey. Can I ask you something?

There’s a brief pause that has me fidgeting beneath Nana’s lime green quilt.

Zephyr:I never understood that question. Can you? Obviously. Will I answer to your heart’s desire? Inconclusive.

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