Page 74 of Things Left Unsaid

“Hey!”

“What’s that?”

“We’re used to Zoom parties! We can still hang out. Long distance.”

I curl an arm around her shoulder. “You’re the best.”

“Don’t I know it. Underappreciated too.”

Parker blows a raspberry so Tee flips her the bird.

Packing more of my stuff away, I stiffen when the doorbell rings.

The whole room falls silent. Until…

“Is that him?” Parker whispers.

“If it is, he’s early.”

Tee quickly checks her phone and the doorbell camera she installed last month when there were some B&Es in our building.

“It is,” she whisper-shouts. “THIS IS NOT A DRILL.”

I gulp.

Straighten.

I can’t help but feel as if I’m about to face a firing squad.

“What am I supposed to say to him?”

“Hello. Then bring him over here and introduce us. I’ll be the judge on whether he’s a nine or not.”

“Parker, I’m telling you he is,” Tee argues.

“Shut up, you two. He’ll hear!”

“I heard,” he calls through the door. “I appreciate the assessment.”

Damn him for sounding amused.

Tee cackles again, and Parker lets out a chuckle.

My cheeks feel like they’re on fire as I walk over to the door. Prisoners on their way to the hangman are probably more enthusiastic than I am.

Everything has already changed but this is it.

I can’t walk back from this.

My life’s about to shift on its axis and there’s no return.

Swallowing, I unlock the gazillion locks on the door and finally open it.

He’s there.

And Tee’s right—though I never like to tell her when she is—he’s definitely a nine with a point knocked off for marriage contracts.

“Hello,” I greet uncertainly, stepping aside so that he can join us in our shoebox apartment.

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