Page 53 of The Pocket Pair

While I’m still trying to force myself to look away and return to normal baseline functions like breathing and swallowing and NOT staring hungrily at Val, she whispers, “Told you it would ruin you for all breakfasts forever.”

It’s true—her stuffed French toast legitimately might have ruined me for all other breakfast foods. But that’s not all I’m starting to feel ruined for. Not even close.

“You cooked; I’ll clean,” I tell her.

“If you insist,” she says. “Oh, I moved a few letters I found on the counter,” she says, making my heart stop for a full beat.

The latest letter arrived just a few days ago, and I’d forgotten all about it. Probably because I don’t want to think about the person writing them. I definitely don’t want Val getting curious about them.

“They were addressed to you, but I saw ‘Return to Sender’ written on them,” Val says. “Want me to drop them by the post office?”

I shove my stool back. “Nope. I’ll take care of them.”

Snatching her empty plate and mine, I’m very careful not to so much as brush my arm against any part of her. My whole focus is on those letters. I find them next to the sink, where I stack the dishes. As casually as I can, I grab the letters, resisting the urge to ball them up in my trembling hands.

On the plus side, they are a great reminder of why I need to put a stop to all this flirtation and chemistry and whatever. Val wants marriage, kids, and the whole thing. While I don’t ever want to get married. I don’t ever want to give myself a chance to fail someone so epically the way my dad failed us.

The letters—the latest ones sent from my father’s other son—were exactly what I needed to get my head on straight.

“Thanks again for breakfast, Val. It’s so nice to have a roommate.”

I can’t quite bring myself to say anything about her being a friend, but I think roommate sufficiently gets the point across. Her open expression closes like the hatch of a submarine, and then she sinks.

While I watch, the joy and ease she had while moving around my kitchen slide right down under the waves. Gone.

I did that. I ruined her good mood and crushed her spirit.

See? This is why you can’t have relationships. You’ll always be a disappointment.

“Right,” Val says flatly. “Roommates.”

With a quick nod, she exits the kitchen, leaving me holding the unopened letters from my half-brother and a whole belly full of regret.

FROM THE NEIGHBORLY APP

Subject: Casting calls?

The_Real_Shell_E

Anyone know when that movie studio is going to start doing casting calls? Or filming???

BagelBytes

I think they’re looking for office space, so I’m not sure if it will be anytime soon. Maybe summer?

Vanz

Anyone know who does headshots? I need to get mine ready. I’ve been an extra in several movies while living in California. But the last photos were taken when I still had hair.

Cal_45

What movie studio?

BobToo

Brightmark Studios. They sent an exec and some scout to Sheet Cake over Christmas. Maybe they’ll do a documentary on the Sheet Cake High football program!

JB

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