Page 23 of Devoted

he lives!

I mean, hi

I was starting to worry you wouldn’t come back

Tapping my fingers on my legs, I tried to decide how to respond.

Sam

I’ll admit, it was hard

I made such a tit of myself

I’m sorry

Zeke

I fail to see how you made a tit of yourself. I’m the one who said you having that fantasy was hot.

but I made it weird by asking if you were picturing me

it’s only weird because I don’t know what you look like

if I did, my answer would’ve been faster

My mouth was suddenly dry. Did he mean…

Zeke

I think we need to buy more rice

The change in topic was so sudden that it took me a second to realise what he was talking about.The game.

Sam

oh shit, yeah. We should probably open up another trading post.

Our conversation died down as we focused on our civilisation. Part of me was grateful that Zeke had changed the subject. That we could bring our friendship back to how it had started, and maybe find the comfortable ease we’d shared. One where neither of us hinted at things we shouldn’t be discussing.

But another part of me was disappointed.

We wrapped up everything that needed doing with startling efficiency considering how often we lost this game. As I placed the final storage post, I realised there was nothing else to do to delay logging off.

Zeke

there, that’s all sorted now. Hopefully the notifications will stop popping up every thirty seconds

so, what have you been up to today?

I was glad there was a screen between us, so Zeke couldn’t see the dopey grin that was lighting up my face.

Sam

Very exciting—I cleaned my house

Zeke

sounds thrilling

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