Page 35 of Whispered Promises

She tears at the foil packaging and removes a slice of the three-cheese pizza. “A consenter, nice. I bet it was hot, being nailed by that growly look of his.” Shoving the slice into her mouth, she chews, then smirks.

“What do you think it meant?” Not being able to sit still with all my thoughts and the static energy buzzing beneath my skin, I get up and pace back and forth in the small kitchen area. “Should I message him? What would I even say?”

“Oh my god, stop. You’re giving me heartburn with all this pacing.” She grabs a napkin and wipes her mouth. “Even I could feel the heat from in here, so I would say he is definitely interested. You can message if you want, but there’s no hard rule that says you have to, and you don’t even need to mention the kiss. Just send a random message with whatever pops into your head.” She shrugs, picks up her pizza slice, and continues eating. “Also, this pizza is so good,” she groans.

Inspiration hits. I grin and grab my phone from the counter. Before Steph can clock on, I snap a quick photo as she takes another huge bite.

“You did not!” Her screech is muffled by the food still stuffed in her mouth. A string of cheese hangs connecting her mouth and the slice in her hand.

“I did too. You said text whatever pops into my head.” I snicker, and quickly send the message before I can second-guess myself…or Steph manages to tackle me in time.

Me

Thank you all for dinner tonight. It was honestly so good. I enjoyed spending time with you. Steph also says thank you. *inserts photo*

Shitballs.

“He’s typing back already.” The butterflies swirl inside my gut, and I can’t tell if it’s from giddiness or panic. How can people even tell the difference?

“Tell him if he shares that picture with anyone, I’ll chop his balls off,” Steph threatens, but with her cheeks puffed up like a hamster overloaded on dough and cheese, it’s hard to take the threat too seriously.

GymAlpha

I enjoyed every moment with you, especially the goodnight kiss.

GymAlpha

Come for dinner tomorrow? Bry said he’s glad that Steph liked it. She’s welcome to join us, or he can make extra to take back for her.

His second message pings through before I have time to digest the first. Pursing my lips, I try to contain the smile that wants to break free. Letting it out feels almost like I’m jinxing this bubble of happiness.

“What’s the smile for? You can’t leave me hanging. What did he say?” Steph’s pizza’s forgotten now, her attention fixed firmly on me and the phone in my hand.

Turning it around, I show her the screen, letting the memorised words float around in my mind.

“Definitely interested. See I told you,” she gloats, resting her chin smugly in her palm, elbow mere millimetres away from being planted into the gooey cheese.

My eye twitches slightly, and I kind of wish she’d stuck it right in; karma for her gloating.

“That is a seriously ugly photo of me. Do I really look like that when I eat? I’m never going on a dinner date again,” she rants. “Also, you better say yes to the invite for tomorrow, but tell him I’ll just take the doggy bag” she fires off, reaching out to snag my glass of water and taking a sip before continuing. “I’m never eating around people again.”

“No one thinks you’re ugly when you eat. No one can actually make eating pizza look attractive,” I placate, then turn my attention back to Nate’s message.

I blow out a breath. This feels like a lot and so fast.

Exhaustion invades my bones from trying to juggle two jobs, the rescue, fostering, and now them…

No, not them.

Just Nate.

He made a move, I reciprocated, so now that decision has been made for me. Max and I will just be friends, and the same goes for Noah and Bry. A pang hits my chest, and it feels like it’s being tugged apart.

Steph leans over the counter, her hand settling on my wrist as I stare blankly down at my phone. “Why do we look sad? That was a good message, right?” she asks, clueless to the selfish emotions curling inside me.

“No, it is a good message. I think I’m just a little overwhelmed and exhausted,” I half lie, not wanting to tell her the whole truth.

“Oh, sweets, that’s okay. You don’t have to go there tomorrow. Saying no doesn’t finish anything you two might have started.” She shrugs, her head tilting as she watches me. “Why don’t you suggest another day? Take a little time to recharge your batteries.”