Page 42 of Texting My Valentine

“That’s nice,” Lily murmurs.

I go to my bedroom window and look at the hulking man sitting behind the wheel, his broad shoulders and thick build reassuring.

“Yeah,” I reply.

“But?” Cleo says.

She’s seen right through me. “But I think I might be a little crazy.”

“Well, that’s notnews,” Cleo teases.

“Hey, leave her alone,” Lily cuts in. “She’s had a rough night.”

“You’re right. I’m sorry, Tori.”

“No, it’s fine. It’s better to pretend like everything’s normal.”

“So why this sudden thought about you being crazy?” Cleo asks.

“I just think all the relationship stuff about Mom might’ve messed me up. I don’t know…”

“Why don’t you talk to us about it?” Lily says softly.

“Okay, but promise not to laugh.”

“After tonight, there’s no way we’d laugh at you.”

I take a breath. “Almost every guy Mom has been with has lied to her in some way, right? Sometimes, these have been little lies. But other times, they’ve been absolutely absurd, like not having families, or having a relative who’s dying, yada yada yada. Get it?”

“Yeah…” Cleo says.

“Well, Alex says he’s got this nephew he’s caring for after his brother passed away. Only, there are no photos of this nephew on his social media. And he hasn’t even got any photos of him on his phone. Isn’t that suspicious?” I rush ahead before they can respond, caught up in the possibly insane idea. “I mean, not evenonephoto. But if this is all just about getting me into bed, why the heck would he protect me like that, you know?”

“I don’t know, babe,” Lily says quietly. “Maybe you’re overthinking it. Maybe he just doesn’t use his phone a lot.”

“Yeah, but...” Cleo sighs. “Mendolie. But why does this matter if it’s all casual anyway?”

“Cleo, he’s keeping guard outside her house after saving her life. This has already gone beyond casual,” Lily scolds.

It all makes my head spin.

“I’m going to try and get some sleep,” I say… well, lie. I won’t be sleeping much tonight.

“Call us if you need us,” Lily says.

“Yeah, any time,” Cleo adds.

“I will. Thanks for not calling me crazy.”

I end the call, then return to the window, typing a text.

Tori:You don’t have to stay out there all night.

Alex:I know I don’t have to, but I wouldn’t forgive myself if I left and something happened.

Tori:Don’t you have work?

Alex:Not until tomorrow morning. An eight-six shift.

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