That wasn’t what I expected.
Not the tone.
Not the timing.
Not the accuracy.
I stared at the screen longer than I should’ve.
Then typed:
don’tflatter yourself
Sent it immediately.
Almost regretted it.
Almost.
His reply came slower this time.
you’re at the arena tomorrow?
I didn’t answer immediately.
Because I knew what that question actually meant now.
Not attendance.
Presence.
I typed:
maybe
Then:
why
Three dots.
Long pause.
Long enough that I thought he might not answer.
Then:
because I’m starting to notice when you’re not there
I stopped breathing properly for a second.
That was new.
Not flirting.
Not teasing.
Something closer to honesty than either of us had used before.
