Page 96 of In Plain Sight

Luka: I’m okay. Didn’t sleep great but what else is new

Luka: how are you doing?

Zander: I’m good

Zander: do you still want to hang out tonight?

I held my breath and stared at my phone screen.

Luka: yeah definitely

I blew out my breath. Even without being able to hear his tone or see his expression, that answer made it seem like he was excited, especially with how quickly he’d sent it.

Luka: holy shit

Cold dread filled me. Had he already changed his mind?

Zander: ???

Luka: I just realized you have an 85 camaro in your garage

Luka: like it just clicked that Nice has a camaro, so that means you have one too

My stomach unclenched, and all the fear melted away.

Zander: lol I’ve had a few moments like that too, where it just hits out of nowhere that you’re the same person

Luka: it’s so weird merging your online persona with the real you

Luka: like I should have realized the camaro you always talk to dev about is the same one that’s sitting in your garage

Luka: and it’s such a mind fuck to think that I knew all these things you two had in common, but I never put it together

Zander: yeah, it is. There are so many things that were obvious but I didn’t see them because I wasn’t looking

Luka: makes me wonder how long this would have gone on if I hadn’t sent that meme

Luka: but enough about my existential crisis, or whatever it’s called. We were making plans for tonight

Zander: lol, yes we were

Zander: do you want to come over? maybe hang out for a bit and check out the camaro?

Luka: like I’d ever say no to that

I did some quick mental math to figure out what time I should invite him over. I had to do my weekly meal prep when I got home, but that wouldn’t take more than a few hours.

Zander: do you want to come over around 7? Will that give you enough time?

Luka: yeah. 7 is great

Zander: great

Luka: I’ll see you then

He sent a beaming smile emoji, then a kissy face one.

I flushed hot and sent back a smile emoji and a kissy face one.

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