Page 33 of Crave Thy Neighbor

“Does Nolan play video games?”

“I’m not sure.”

“Can you find out?”

I chuckle, because of course he’s most concerned about if Nolan plays video games. He’s twelve.

“Yeah, I can find out.”

“Cool.”

“So, you’re good with it?”

He shrugs again. “Yep.”

“Cool,” I repeat back to him. “Now put your homework aside and set the table. Dinner is about ready.”

By some miracle, he doesn’t argue and hops down from the stool at the bar.

My phone buzzes against the counter, and I race to grab it.

I can’t help the grin on my face when I see his name on my phone.

I saved his number under Romeo in a spur-of-the-moment decision.

Romeo: What’s up?

Me: Are those rooms still available?

Romeo: Can we talk on the phone? I hate texting.

My heart rate skyrockets.

Fuck. Did he find a roommate already? Did I blow my chances by dragging my feet?

Romeo: I should have led with, “Yes, they’re still available.”

I breathe a sigh of relief.

Me: Call you around 9? Sitting down to eat.

Romeo: K

A surge of irritation runs through me.

K?

He knows that’s the texting equivalent ofGo fuck yourself, right?

Romeo: I probably should have said “Okay” or “Sounds good.”

Romeo: Dean always yells at me for just typing K.

Romeo: Told you I’m bad at texting.

I giggle, liking the way he keeps using quotations. It’s cute.

Me: It’s fine. Talk to you soon.

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