Page 98 of Sweet Escape
I’ve never seen Sarah so flustered before, and it has my curiosity piqued. “Ok. Spill. Who are we talking about?”
She scrunches up her nose and looks away. “Do you remember Max from AP math?”
“The nerdy guy who used to sit behind you just to stare at the back of your head?”
After passing the phone back to Sarah, Nia starts massaging my right foot, the other one still soaking in the water. The way her fingers dig into my arches is indescribable, and I have to stifle an awkward moan.
“He did not!” Sarah squeals.
“Hesodid,” Nia says, drying her hand enough to hold it up for a high five, which I gladly reciprocate. “And he’s fucking jacked now. He was always kinda cute in a subtle way, but that man has aged like fine wine.”
Sarah grumbles something under her breath before continuing. “Anyway… we've been talking for a while and he’s taking me to dinner tonight.”
“Look at you, making that man’s dream finally come true,” I say.
She rolls her eyes playfully. “You're insufferable since you came back from Denver.”
“You missed me,” I say.
She places her hand on my forearm, a small smile spreading across her face. “I did. I’m so happy you’re back.”
“Not to break up the lovefest”—Nia interjects—“but we can’t leave that man on read. He’ll get a complex.”
I hold out my hand, palm up. “Give me the phone.”
With a resigned sigh, Sarah complies, and I swipe over to her text messages.
Max: Can’t wait to see you tonight.
Sarah: Me too. What should I wear?
Max: Ideally, nothing.
“Wow. I never would’ve expected Max to be such a flirt,” I say.
“Right? So, what do I say?”
“You send him a sexy selfie, obviously. Go to the back room and stand in front of the mirror.”
Sarah disappears for a few minutes while Nia continues with my pedicure. We settle on a rosy-pink color for my toes, and she hums quietly as she applies the polish. When Sarah returns, she passes the phone back to me with Max’s reply front and center.
Max: Holy shit. We might not make it to dinner.
“What do I even say to that?” Sarah asks.
I contemplate her question for a second, then tap out a quick response.
“Liv... What are you doing?”
“Just teasing a little.”
“Do not send that before I can read it!”
“Too late. And he already responded.” I pass her phone back, and her mouth drops open.
Sarah: Well…how hungry are you? ??
Max: Fucking starving, baby.
