Page 8 of A Damaged Soul
ELLE
Is that your way of saying you want to come visit me?
I hit send before I could change my mind, but when I didn't see the little bubbles appear immediately, my nerves got the better of me.
"What's that look for?"
I glanced up and found Molly looking at me with concern in her eyes. "I think I messed up."
"Let me see." She snatched the phone out of my hand before I could pull it out of her reach.
Molly's eyes got big. "Oh girl. You didn't mess up at all."
Before I could ask her what she meant, Molly turned my phone so the screen was facing me. It was then that I realized Rhett had texted me back.
I clutched the phone in both hands and brought it closer to my face.
RHETT
I'd love to visit before I head out on my next assignment.
My heart did a little flip as I reread his message.
"I knew there was more to the two of you than just friends."
"Shoosh, you." I waved Molly off and thought about how I wanted to respond to Rhett.
ELLE
Coffee this weekend or will you be gone before that?
"Really? Coffee?" Molly asked as she looked over the top of the phone and read my conversation with Rhett.
"It's the friendly thing to do," I hissed.
I waited with bated breath to see what he would say. Thankfully he didn't make me wait long.
RHETT
Name the time and place.
Molly's squeal pulled me out of the Rhett-induced fog I found myself in. "Shhh." I swatted at her, then looked around, once again, to make sure no one was paying us any attention. A group of fourth-grade teachers side-eyed us but went back to their own conversations after I stared them down.
"That doesn't sound like being friend-zoned to me. That sounds like a man who wants your attention."
I shook my head. "What happened to him being a red flag?"
Molly pfft me. "That was before I saw the messages he sent you. That man is interested."
I refused to get my hopes up because truth be told, after Friday night, I wanted Rhett to be interested, but I didn't think that was the case. Or at least I didn't think he would allow it to be the case.
"It's just two friends having coffee," I reminded her and myself.
"If you say so."
The warning bell that lunch was almost over cut me off from saying anything further. Packing up my lunch box, I slid my phone into my pocket and headed toward my classroom. Itwasn't until I was sitting behind my desk that I worked up the courage to text him back.
ELLE
