"Well, I tried. And I did text and call him."
"Oh, how did that go?"
Terrible.
"It could've been worse," I said.
Since I got back, I'd been grounded. Dad made good on his promise—though I was glad he'd cooled off enough to think sensibly. He only gave me three days versus however many years. Neither one of us was completely sure what "grounding" meant. Dad had to do an internet search for ideas. Anyway, what he came up with was this: no TV (which was fine since I loved reading), no driving (again not a hardship since I didn't have anywhere to go), and no visitors (except Stacia, who he said got special privileges since Mom's wedding was coming up). That last one was actually a blessing too because, although I was in a weird place with Tolliver, at least I got to talk to someone.
"Details," Stacia said, gesturing for more.
I pulled out my phone. "You can see for yourself."
After a moment, she grinned.
"Hi Tolliver, I miss you turning pages for me," she read aloud.
I shrugged as her amused eyes moved to mine.
"Well, if that isn't a declaration of love, I don't know what is." Her gaze strayed back to the phone, and she smiled. "And he replied with, 'Hey Freya, I miss turning your pages.' Oh my gosh! The sweetness is giving me cavities."
"I think my sarcasm is starting to rub off on you," I said, snatching my phone back.
"Why, thank you."
"Not a compliment, Stass."
She gasped.
"What?" I asked.
"You called me Stass!"
"Yeah, and?"
"It's the first time you haven't used my full name." Stacia's eyes grew glossy. "We really are friends."
"Mmm."
"Best friends."
"I wouldn't go that far," I said.
"Sisters by choice if not by blood."
"Stacia, please contain yourself." She grinned at me, and I lifted a brow. "Do you have any useful advice, regarding your other friend?"
"We're talking about Toll now?"
I nodded in confirmation as Stacia's whole demeanor switched from playful to contemplative.
"He's a good guy," she said. "Carefree on the outside, but Toll's deeper, more thoughtful than most people realize—which is likely part of the reason you fell for him."
She was right on that. Tolliver showed me, on more than one occasion, that there was much more to him than what was on the surface. Although, his crazy good looks didn't hurt either.
"He's also gorgeous."
"Stacia!"
