Page 14 of A Love That Broke Us

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My phone buzzes in my purse, snapping me back to the present.

I pull it out, glancing at the screen.

Scarlett

Good luck tonight!

A string of sexual emojis follows. I roll my eyes, smiling.

I’m getting nervous.

Scarlett

Girl… why? It’s been a month. You like him. He likes you. If he was gonna bounce, he’d have done it already. Just be your hot-ass self and trust the process.

I like the message just as another comes through. This one’s from Michael.

Michael

Did you get your flight booked for New Year’s?

Yeah. Sorry I forgot to send it to you. I’ll send it now.

I pull up my flight info, snap a screen shot, and send it to Michael.

Michael

Cool. Stella and I will most likely both be working, but Adam or Leo could probably come pick you up.

I shake my head.

They don’t need to do that. I can get an Uber. It’s not even that far—probably be $25-$30. Not a big deal.

Adam is Michael’s childhood best friend, and Leo is his best friend from college. He’s also a silent partner in my brother’s restaurant. Michael’s a phenomenal chef.

Michael

Ok. Well, we can talk about it when it gets closer. You still seeing that same guy?

A smile tugs at my lips. I love that he still takes an interest in me, even with his own family to focus on.

Yeah. On my way to his place right now. He’s taking me to his best friend’s birthday party.

Michael

Well, have fun… Be safe please… in every way.

Ew, don’t talk to me about that. But yes, of course I’ll be safe.

Michael

So you can joke about birthday blow jobs, but I can’t tell you to use a condom, even without saying the word? You’re so weird.

It’s different. I know Stella. You’re my boring, dad-mode older brother. I have to keep your life interesting. But you can’t say that stuff to your little sister. It’s just weird.

Michael

You make no sense.

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