Page 13 of The Last Love Story
Me: Speaking of which, you get any random sparks of inspiration to finish book eight?
Jade Jackson: Lol. Not yet.
Me: I suppose demanding you to work all night would be unfair labor practices.
Jade Jackson: Just a smidge, but my boss has been known to demand those in the past. It’s me. I’m the boss.
Me: Sort of speaking of that. I need your romance expertise.
Jade Jackson: … about what?
I stare at the message for a second then realize how mine sounded. Like I need romance advice for a girl. A girl who isn’t her. Which would be shitty. And something I’d never do. Especially because Hallie might not be totally wrong about the crush thing. But I think I should wait and see what happens to decide that.
Me: Sorry. That sounded scummy. I don’t need romance advice, but more your romance eye to see if I’m imagining what I think I’m seeing between two of my friends.
Jade Jackson: Ooh. Then hit me.
Me: So they’re newer friends and I don’t have a lot of context, but it’s two guys (neither are out as far as I know), and they’re friends. One touched the other’s arm and said something nice, then they locked eyes, and for a half a second, I was waiting for them to kiss.
Jade Jackson: Ooh. Tension. I like it. Um, without knowing them it’s hard to say, but it’s possible. I’m good at getting a read on people, so feel free to keep telling me if you notice anything else. I’m invested now.
Me: Good. Something to keep you on the hook. Since we all know you’ve got me on yours.
Jade Jackson:
Jade Jackson: You act like it’s a bad place to be.
I bite my lip as I read that.
Bite my lip?
Christ, maybe waiting to see if I have a crush is long gone. I think I’m into this girl. Twenty-four hours of talking to her, and I already know I don’t want to stop any time soon.
I almost want to ask if she’s from New York since it’s where her books are set. But I would think asking to meet up while I’m in New York might be a little much.
Then again…
Me: Hey, are you going to be at that signing in Vegas in a couple of weeks?
Jade Jackson: Yes. Are you?
Me: Yep. Any chance you’d be willing to meet up in person? Also, do you have a pre-order form? I might need to order signed copies of all your books.
Jade Jackson: I might be open to it. I mean, I won’t stop you from coming up to my table, but if you actually want to sit down and hang out… that’d be cool. In a public place.
Me: Of course. I… didn’t pause to think about how that might sound. I’m sorry.
Jade Jackson: No. It’s fine. We just don’t really know each other well yet. You could be a stalker or a serial killer.
Me: Saying I’m not probably won’t prove that, but I’ll do my best to prove I don’t have any psychopathic tendencies (unlike you). Maybe sprinkle in some details about my life instead of just ranting and raving about your books.
Jade Jackson: As much as my ego enjoys those things… I wouldn’t mind that.
“Whatcha doing?”
I jump as Devon puts his chin on my shoulder, trying to see my phone. I quickly turn the screen off, but when I look up, everyone’s eyes are on me.
How long was I messaging Jade?
