Page 27 of The Fear of Falling
He sends the photo, and the responses come quickly.
Poppy:
Not what I had in mind…
Lucy:
There he goes throwing that “handsome” word around again. *raised eyebrow emoji*
Poppy:
Avery, if you’re in trouble, text our safe word.
Lucy:
Avery definitely looks more kidnapped than charmed by her mysterious stranger there…
“Do we have a safe word?” I ask with a laugh. “If we do, I don’t know what it is. Maybe you should send an actual picture before they start looking up how to call the Italian police.”
Benson takes a quick selfie of his forehead and sends that along with a text.
Avery:
What are you talking about? That’s my sexy ear. But if you need more…
Poppy:
Is that a six finger hairline? Are you “balding”?
“Ouch.” He touches his hairline, which is not receding in any way, and I’m so tempted to run my fingers through his hair and assure him of as much. My hand is halfway to him when Dani finally jumps into the chat.
Dani:
Ah, yes. The forehead. Many a relationship has started with the thought, “Man, that’s a sexy forehead!”
Poppy:
You’re not helping your case, mister.
Lucy:
I’m very much not okay with our cousin chat getting commandeered by a weirdo. Get outta here, Benson! And be nice to Avery!
Chloe:
Ugh… How come all the good stuff always happens when I walk away from my phone??!!
Dani:
For the record, Benson really is buying the most expensive copy of my book, so I’m a fan!
Unless he hurts Avery. Then he’d better be prepared for a world of hurt.
Benson turns to me and smiles warmly. “Your sister is pretty great. The cousins too.”
“Yeah,” I agree. “And you don’t have to keep talking to them. They’re a lot.” I try to grab my phone, but Benson holds it out of my reach and starts typing one-handed. Oh, to have giant man hands.
Avery:
