Page 21 of The Exception to the Rule

Subject: Re: Look who’s back on top

Okay well I know what you mean about having a crush because I’ve sort of had the sameWhat Ifthought a few times. But I’m so sorry, T. I would love to meet you, but I do have a girlfriend and agree that if we did connect in person, it would inevitably feel like a date. I dohope you have a very happy Valentine’s Day, though, and will still be getting dumplings tonight as tradition requires. Until next year?

Yours,

C.

Chapter Ten

2023

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Date: February 14, 2023

Subject: Happy Valentine’s Day!

I love winning.

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Date: February 14, 2023

Subject: Re: Happy Valentine’s Day!

You were destined to win this year since I would absolutelynotbe the first to send the email after asking a taken man out on a date last year! Happy Valentine’s Day, C!

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Date: February 14, 2023

Subject: Re: Happy Valentine’s Day!

I’m not taken anymore, if that helps ... And I’ll be in Irvine for the last two weeks of August.

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Date: February 14, 2023

Subject: Re: Happy Valentine’s Day!

Not only do I have a boyfriend, but he is moving to the same city I am for graduate school, and we are packing up for the road trip over—you guessed it—the last two weeks of August.

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Date: February 14, 2023

Subject: Re: Happy Valentine’s Day!

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