Page 58 of Dashing for Love

Nice to meet you, Goldie Dash. I’m Matty Brodigan. But I guess you know that.

I smile and type back.

I do. So…

So.

I take a deep breath and decide to dive right in.

Here’s the thing. I liked you when I thought you were James. And…

I hit send, needing to gather my thoughts on how exactly to say this.

JAMES

Jeez, Goldie. Way to keep a guy hanging

I’m trying to figure out how to say this in a way that isn’t weird

Isn’t this already weird?

I don’t know. Is it?

Well, now that you ask…

See? You don’t know either.

Okay, you win. I’ll wait patiently. But you should know that Killer isn’t nearly as patient as me.

A picture comes through, and it’s Killer, mid-bark, looking far more adorable than any little dog has a right to. Theawwthat leaves me is high-pitched, and I laugh to myself.

DAWN

I love that dog

Same.

Okay. Here goes. You ready?

I’m ready. Killer is here to comfort me if I need it.

Good.

Shoot.

I’m trying. You keep interrupting me.

This is me being patient, Goldie.

UGH, Matty!

Okay. Here goes.

I take a deep breath and type.

I like you even more, now that I know it’s you. I’m guessing you’ve always known I crushed on you a little, right? But it was always just a little crush. Nothing crazy. I figured you’d never look at me as anything other than Willa’s sister. But now that whatever this is has happened, I think you’re freaked out. And I don’t want you to be. But I don’t know how to make you *not* freak out.

I hit send and groan. I needed to send that, but crap, that was kind of the pits.