Page 74 of Betting on You

“We aren’t buddies. I’ve never been his buddy.”

“Quit being literal and quit being scared. Text him something chill likeDo you know my Netflix password?”

“Why would he know my Netflix password?”

He gave his head a shake, likeIwas an idiot, and said, “He doesn’t. But he doesn’t know that you don’t think he might.”

“I’m sorry—how is this going to help things?”

“It’s the reconnection,” he said, sighing. “You text him what I said, and he responds that he doesn’t. Then you sayDangit—I didn’t think so but I thought it was worth a shot.”

I still didn’t see how that would help anything.

“He will—of course—give you aSorry bro, and then you have the chance to say something funny and make him think about you.”

“Think about me how?” It was a pointless plan, an idea without merit, but still.

“That is up to you. Send him the first text,” Charlie said, “and I’ll Cyrano the rest as we go.”

“No,” I squealed, not at all interested in involving Charlie withZack but for some reason giddily excited about something. “It’ll never work.”

“It willabsolutelywork for its purpose,” he said, staring out at the road in front of him.

“Which is…?”

“Which is reminding him that you’re funny and interesting.”

“Charlie—”

“Just textHey, it’s Bay—quick question.”

“I was never Bay to him, for the record.”

“Such a shame,” he said, his brow furrowing like he didn’t understand.

It was a strange response, but even stranger was the fact that I liked it. It felt like he was defending me somehow. I said, “Is it?”

He looked away from the road to give me a pointed glance before saying, “Fine. TextIt’s Bailey—quick question.”

I don’t know what got into me, but I pulled up Zack in my contacts. I was squirrely and giggling as I said to myself, “I cannot believe I’m doing this. ‘Hey, it’s Bailey. Quick question.’?”

“Send,” he said, loudly and with a half smile. “Hit send, you chickenshit.”

I took a deep breath, squealed again, then hit send. “Holy shit, I hit send.”

“Atta girl.” He laughed, which made me squeal again.

“I can’t believe I just sent that,” I said, and then conversation bubbles popped up. “Oh my God, he’s responding!”

“Breathe,” Charlie said, his eyes on the road.

“Easy for you to say,” I mumbled, staring at the phone.

Zack: What’s up?

I muttered “Holy shit” under my breath as I texted:Weird question, but do you know my Netflix password?

“I did it,” I said, looking over at Charlie. “I asked him about the password.”

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