Page 19 of Merry Me

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Me: Focus. And tell FiFi hi.

Me: Actually, maybe I should get some gummies, too. They would probably make this situation tolerable.

Casey: Did he immediately pin you against the wall and kiss you?

I blinked at the phone as an errant image of Easton’s lips filled my head. Followed by his perfect dick.

Me: Hey…none of that. This is the exact opposite direction for how this convo should be going. I’m currently in my childhood treehouse in the backyard, hiding like a rat because he’s in my house right now.

Riley: I don’t know…sounds like against the wall is exactly where this conversation is supposed to be going.

Me: …

Me: The problem is that he’s hotter.

Casey: Not seeing the problem, Nat. Were you hoping that they’d been putting makeup over new face warts he’d developed since you last saw him?

I tried to picture that for a second, but it was impossible because the man was hotter than Hades.

Me: Well, yes.

Riley: Someone send me a pic. Every time I try to look him up, Jace puts his hands over my eyes and confiscates my phone.

A second later…

Riley: Do not send my flutter muffin a pic. This is Jace.

Casey: Like we couldn’t tell.

Casey: Moral of the story. Maybe you should jump your hot ex’s bones. Get him out of your system.

Me: Who are you and what has Parker Davis done to you?

Me: Because I kind of like it.

Riley: Phew. I’m back. I also think you should jump your hot ex’s bones. And so does Ophelia.

Me: NOT HAPPENING.

Casey: Ok, well what’s the plan?

Me: Plan? I don’t have a plan. I’m hiding in a treehouse in the freezing cold, texting you guys.

Casey: Well, you can’t stay up there forever.

Me: Watch me.

Riley: You’re going to be fine. You’ve handled worse. Remember that time Jace accidentally set your kitchen on fire?

Me: How is this relevant?

Riley: It’s not. But you survived that, so you’ll survive this.

Me: If only that made any sense.

Snorting, I leaned my head back against the wall, the knot in my chest loosening just a little. I was Natalie Bennett. I could survive anything. Even Easton.

Maybe.

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