Page 364 of How to Kiss a Hawthorne Brother
I nudge Lucy’s shoulder, making her walk backward to the door. “I guess if you can text theactualcelebrity, there’s less thrill in reading comments about said celebrity,” Lucy says.
“Exactly. So if you’llexcuseme, I’m going to text him right now.”
They pause in my doorway, twin images of wide-eyed wonder. “I can’t believe this is your life,” Lucy says.
I smile and start to close the door, pushing gently until they finally get out of the way and I hear the click of the latch. “Goodnight!” I call through the door, locking it for good measure.
Back on my bed, I snuggle under the covers and pull up the text thread to Flint. He texted again in the time it took to kick my sisters out of my room.
Flint:Audrey? Don’t make me come over there and talk to your sisters myself.
Audrey:They would be thrilled if you did. But all is well. I kicked them out. And I promise—I won’t let them read me any more comments.
Flint:You really don’t have your own Instagram account?
Audrey:I really don’t. I’ve never felt like I needed one.
Flint:How do you stay in touch with people? Keep up with what everyone is doing?
Audrey:I’m sure it will shock you, but as someone who mostly prefers the company of wild animals to people, I haven’t exactly accumulated a lot of people to keep up with.
Flint:Come on. Everyone has people.
Audrey:I have my sisters. But I live with them, so I don’t need to follow them on social media.
Flint:But you have TikTok, right? To follow your parents?
Audrey:ONLY to follow my parents. And watch cute dog videos.
Flint:*Makes note to self about sending Audrey cute dog videos*
I smile and bite my lip. I like flirty Flint, even if there’s a possibility it’s onlyfakeflirty Flint.
Flint:What about college roommates?
Audrey:My freshman roommate was awful, but after that, I lived with my lab partner from my first biology class. We’re still friends. We talk on the phone once a month.
Flint:Old school.
Flint:I like it.
Flint:Sometimes I wish I didn’t have social media at all. But I do love seeing all the pictures my siblings put up of their kids. I have a private account that I use with my family. It’s nice.
Audrey:With a family as big as yours, I can understand the appeal. That’s a lot of people to keep up with.
It’s another minute or two before another message pops up, and this one nearly makes my heart stop.
Flint:So, are you ready to talk about movies? I’ve been doing my research, and I’ve got a couple I want you to try. Maybe we can watch a few together?
I lean back into my pillows and smile, positive I won’t actually be able to sleep anytime soon.
Audrey:Bring it on.
Chapter Sixteen
Audrey
“OH MY GOSH, HE’SIN A LIMO!” Lucy spins around from where she’s spying out the front window, her eyes wide. “Audrey, he’s picking you up in a limo!”
