Erin: Emma still hasn’t given up?
Carter: My sister is insane. Will not leave me alone about dating. Claims “Erin” is the name I gave my blow-up doll.
Erin: You have a blow-up doll?
* * *
Erin: Not feeling so hot today.
Carter: You’re always hot.
Erin: Ha ha *green-faced nausea emoji*
Carter: That bad?
Erin: Yeah. Going back to bed. Call tonight? I want to talk to Thad.
* * *
Carter: I only had you in bed for two nights. How can I already hate sleeping alone again?
Erin: I thought Erin the Blow-up Doll was keeping you company.
Carter: A blow-up doll could never compare to being inside you.
Erin: Carter!
Carter: What?
Erin: … … … I miss you too.
* * *
Erin had been up at dawn feeling sick, which was how she realized her toilet was leaking before it flooded her bathroom. A couple hours of work and then she got to go in to her actual job. None of the guys were in a good mood either—it was Friday and everyone just wanted to go home.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket midmorning.
Carter: What are you wearing?
Erin: Dirty overalls.
Carter: What color is the lace underneath them?
Erin: I’m standing 5 feet from 10 sweaty guys who are wondering why I’m blushing. Don’t do that!
The three bouncing dots appeared, telling her Carter was preparing a reply. The string of emojis he sent next took a minute to interpret, but when she did, she blushed even harder.
Erin: Carter!
Carter: You send me that text a lot.
Erin: You earn it a lot.
This time it was the laughing emoji with tears coming from its eyes. She sent back an eye roll.
Erin: I think I got myself involved with a pervert.
Carter: I think you love that about me.