Page 87 of Storm in a Teacup
ME: Oh, but it is
I send her a screenshot of her contact name.
Shesends back the rolling eyes emoji. Then:
OSCAR WILDE’S MOTHER: Well, yours is just Ben. I need something better
ME: Hottest man alive?
OSCAR WILDE’S MOTHER: Eh
ME: Silver fox?
OSCAR WILDE’S MOTHER: Maybe in a few years
ME: Benny
There’s a slight delay before she texts me back. When she does, she says:
OSCAR WILDE’S MOTHER: I’ll consider it
I offer her an out.
ME: Pheromone king?
OSCAR WILDE’S MOTHER: Bingo. That’s the one
I think that’s probably where we’re going to leave it, but then she sends another text.
OSCAR WILDE’S MOTHER: The rehearsal dinner is Friday, just as a reminder. You don’t have to come
ME: Do you not want me there?
OSCARWILDE’S MOTHER: It might be boring for you is all I’m saying
OSCAR WILDE’S MOTHER: I always like when you’re around
I bite the corner of my mouth. She’s so good at that, letting me know that she wants me around, even when she thinks I might not want to be. Though that’s where her assumption is wrong—I want to be anywhere and everywhere she is. Always.
ME: You’ll be there, so I’ll be there too
ME: Come by the café tomorrow? Or I’ll come by the shop?
I miss youis the implied end of that text.
OSCAR WILDE’S MOTHER: I’ll stop by the café
OSCAR WILDE’S MOTHER: See you tomorrow?
ME: See you tomorrow
CHAPTER TWENTY
Linny
“Hello?” Ben answers, tone confused because I have never called him before. “You okay, my crumpet?”
“Hey,” I say, readjusting the headphone in my right ear. It always slips. “Yeah. Sorry. I can’t text and walk, and I don’t have time to pause. So, about the rehearsal dinner tonight…” I trail off, unable to both continue talking and open the door to the bakery I’m entering.
