Page 139 of Friends Don't Kiss

10:15 p.m.

To: Willow

Everything okay?

10:16 p.m.

To: Colton

How was brunch?

Monday, 1:00 a.m.

Willow

Heeey sorry! Was out of service. Omg Colt took us to one of his races and you were right!!! So much fun!! You should have seen his dad. He was so proud of his son!

3:00 a.m.

Chloe

We got you

3:10 a.m.

Willow

Found raspberries.

6:00 a.m.

…

…

The café au lait feels heavier than usual this morning, and the croissant I’m dipping in it tastes bitter. I run my thumb on the surface of my phone.

“Ça va?” my roommate asks as she sits across from me.

“Oui oui. Ça va,” I lie. I’m not okay. I thought mastering the art of the soufflé would make me feel on top of the world. It doesn’t. It reduces me to a pastry chef, and that’s not who I want to be. I still want to do this as a living, because like my friends say, it brings me joy, but I don’t want this to be the essence of me.

1:00 p.m.

To: Colton

Heard you took your dad to the race! I’m so happy for you. How did he like it?

Colton

Hey sweets. Morning. Miss you.

Yeah, bunch of people came. It was okay.

3:00 p.m.

Just okay?

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