Page 94 of Rising Heat

When I step back from the mirror, I look exactly like someone who definitely did not spend the last forty minutes trying to look effortlessly put together.

My phone vibrates.

Tyler

Parade starts at 11:30. We’re in the third block behind Engine 37.

Tyler

We’ll head to The Bell with everybody once we’re done.

Before I can answer, another message comes through.

Mack

Better see you there.

I smile despite myself.

Darcy

Is that your way of making sure I wasn’t planning to ditch you both?

Mack

You wouldn’t dare.

Tyler

She better not disappoint us like that

I blink at the screen, my lower belly doing one very unhelpful little flip.

Darcy

Of course I’ll be there.

Three dots appear almost immediately.

Mack

Good.

A second later⁠—

Tyler

See you soon, Trouble.

Something had shifted. I couldn’t have explained it if I’d tried, but suddenly everything felt a whole lot less hypothetical.

Wait, is this them flirting or am I reaching a new level of delusion?

If this was what happened when they both decided to stop making me guess, I’m so unbelievably screwed.

And in less than an hour, I’d be standing in front of both of them.

I stare at my phone for one more second before grabbing my keys and heading downstairs before my imagination gets there first.