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“Here.” I grab a Post-it and scribble down my address before he can change his mind. “Come by on Sunday around noon. You can spend some time with June. I’ll ask you some questions, and we can make sure this is the right fit.”
“Sounds good.” Maven takes the note from me, and her fingers brush against mine. A jolt of electricity runs up my arm when she pulls away and looks me up and down. “See you on Sunday, Lansfield.”
She picks her bags up off the floor. I keep my eyes on my sneakers as she leaves the room. Watching her walk away doesn’t seem like it would be filed understrictly professional.
When the door closes, I peek at Shawn.
“You’re on thin ice,” he warns.
Relief spreads through me like a wildfire for the first time in months. “Lighten up, Coach. What could go wrong?”
FIVE
MAVEN
My phone buzzeswhen I’m on the Metro. A text from a number I don’t recognize comes through, and I slide the screen open.
Unknown number:
Hey. Let me know when you’re a block away, and I’ll meet you out front.
Are you driving or taking the Metro?
It’s Dallas, btw. I got your number from Shawn. Not a stalker, I promise.
I laugh and type out a quick reply.
Me
Dallas “God no” Lansfield? How can I be sure this isn’t a stalker in disguise? I’m going to need some proof.
Unknown number:
Attachment: 1 image
The picture takes a second to download, but once it does, a photo of Dallas and June pops up. They’re both sticking out their tongues, and there are little wrinkles around Dallas’s eyes that make it look like he snapped it mid-laugh.
It’s a little blurry. A a little off center and a little hard to make out thanks to the sun beams cutting across the lens of the camera, but it’s also kind of perfect. It’s in the moment. Taken by him, for me, and I don’t know why, but it makes me smile.
Unknown number:
Better?
Me
The best. How much did it cost you to get my number?
Unknown number:
A thirty-minute lecture and four toes off my left foot.
Good thing I kick with my right. Worth it, though.
Me
The sacrifices we have to make. I’m on the Metro and getting off at the next stop, so I’m probably five minutes away.
Unknown number:
