Page 17 of Love Unexpected
@RandomIOfficial: I have to be honest. I didn’t expect you to figure it out.
The thrill of victory pulsed through me.
@Briarsandthorns: It’s a good song. I wish I could see them perform it live.
@RandomIOfficial: I think they only performed it live once. At a show in the early nineties. I’m not sure they actually liked the song.
@Briarsandthorns: A little too close to home, maybe?
@RandomIOfficial: Maybe.
@Briarsandthorns: Is that why you like it? Cause it resonates for you?
Isaac didn’t respond right away, and I immediately regretted the boldness of my message.
@Briarsandthorns: Sorry. I shouldn’t have asked that. I’m a stranger and it isn’t any of my business. It’s possible I’m just still reeling over the fact that you actually responded.
I grabbed a Twizzler while I waited for Isaac’s response, welcoming Reggie back onto the bed when he decided to like me again. I scratched under his chin. “It’s only been three minutes, Reg, and I already might have blown it.”
My phone buzzed and I jumped; Reggie shot me a look that clearly implied if I didn’t settle down he was absolutely finished with our relationship.
@RandomIOfficial: Like I said, your art impressed me. And I don’t mind you asking the question. It only took me by surprise because I’ve never really thought about why I like the song. But yeah. When I dig deeper, it does resonate in a personal way. Not that I’m complaining. I wouldn’t trade what I’ve got.
@Briarsandthorns: But there are occasional downsides?
@RandomIOfficial: You get it.
@Briarsandthorns: No. I am the farthest thing from famous. But that’s what the song says, right? The pinches of pain hiding in the praise.
@RandomIOfficial: Keep quoting lyrics to me, and we might be friends forever.
I dropped back onto my bed and pulled a pillow over my face, squealing into the pillowcase. This couldn’t actually be happening. Reggie didn’t flee this time, but he did dig his claws into my thighs, a final warning that he would not tolerate any more of my giddiness. It was good I had someone as sensible as Reggie to keep me in check.
Before responding to his message, I pulled up Marley’s Instagram profile and sent her an all-caps message. This was definitely an all-caps kind of occasion. I briefly hesitated when Reggie, who clearly couldn’t decide how he felt about me, nestled up against my chest, demanding attention.HE ACTUALLY RESPONDED AND NOW HE IS FLIRTING WITH ME AND I AM DEAD SEND HELP IMMEDIATELY.
“What do you want?” I said to Reggie, dropping my phone and scooping him up. “First you claw me and now you’re demanding love? You think I love you enough to deal with this back and forth, huh?”
My phone buzzed with a message and I glanced at the screen, letting out an audible gasp. “Reggie! Look at what you made me do!” Somehow, in my fumbling right before sending the message, I had managed tonotsend my all caps message to Marley.
@RandomIOfficial: Um, did you mean to send that last message to me? I’m guessing not. Do you still need me to send help?
This. Was. Not. Happening. At least Isaac couldn’t see the heat flaming my cheeks. At least there was that.
@Briarsandthorns: Um, no. That message was not meant for you. And now I’m REALLY dead. I’ll just go now. Have a very nice life.
@RandomIOfficial: Haha. I don’t think I can let you go yet. Not until I’m sure you really haven’t died. I would hate to know I’d caused such a thing. Especially when I wasn’t actually flirting.
@Briarsandthorns: THIS IS NOT HELPING WITH THE DEAD SITUATION.
It was fifteen minutes before Isaac responded again. Fifteen torturous, awful minutes in which I was positive I’d ruined everything. When another message from him finally popped up, I’d eaten more than half of my bag of Twizzlers.
@RandomIOfficial: Are you still there?
@Briarsandthorns: I’m sorry, what? I can hardly hear you through the fog of my own existential dread.
@RandomIOfficial: Did it freak you out? It’s just a safety thing. Sorry if it was weird.
I stared at the message trying to make sense of what he’d just said. Sorry if what was weird?
