Page 117 of Give Me a Shot

Okay. Get it together. You’re not gonna keep Mo waiting.

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Forty-five minutes later, Jess pulled back the shower curtain to find Steinem sitting on the bathroom counter. He meowed at her.

“Hey, Sty Sty,” she said, grabbing a towel. “What’s up?”

He let out a long yowl. Jess smiled as she dried her hair.

“Yes,” she said. “You’re right. I was in there for a while. But I was gross. And I can’t go apologize to Mo with gross skin andhair. I’m already embarrassed and uncomfortable enough.” Wrapping another towel around herself, she flicked the light off as she left the bathroom, Steinem following at her heels.

She checked her phone, relieved to see replies in the group chat. During the drive home, she’d gone over and over what she could say to Mo, but none of her words felt like enough. She’d sent an SOS to her friends, along with the idea of buying Mo a plant or some other gift.

Alice:

I googled “Good plants to apologize.” Noticed something when I was poking around. Didn’t you say he gave you unique flowers?

Jess:

Yes. Why?

Stephanie:

Why? Flowers and plants have meanings, J.

Jess knew that they had historically, but she’d never extrapolated that fact to the modern day.

Jess:

Yes, but. Do you think he knows that?

Alice:

He gave you cranberry flowers after you saw your parents?

Yes.

A screenshot appeared in the chat. Jess clicked it open.

“A cure for heartache.”

Knowing that she was upset after her visit “home,” Mo had handed her a gift with the specific meaning ofeasing her pain,and she’d dumped him. Her eyes flooded with tears. As she blinked them away, she noticed the time.

Jess:

You were right, Steph. I AM clueless. And I’m gonna be late. Al, can you find a couple good plants or flowers that mean I am sorry, I’m the biggest moron on the planet? Send me their names?

Laughing emojis from both popped up.

Alice:

I’m on it. I’ll have them for you asap.

Jess:

Thx

Stephanie:

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