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If Zahra planned on reporting me, she would have done it already.
Well…unless she’s biding her time to extort money out of you.
The thought makes me pause. Could that be the case? Or maybe she wants me to make an even bigger mistake so she can get a bigger payout in the end.
Are you always this cynical about people’s intentions?Her soft voice enters my thoughts like it belongs there.
Compared to my brothers, I’ve always been the most reserved and untrusting, ever since I was a young child. Situations in my life amplified the feeling, turning a hopeful kid into a bitter adult.
Poked holes in condoms. Failed attempts at extortion. People wanting to be my friend with the sole purpose of reaping the benefits associated with my last name.
The list is endless with one universal lesson.Trust no one.
I throw my phone on the bed. Hoping for a moment to gather my thoughts and solidify my reasoning against reaching out to Zahra, I go on an evening run.
My skin dampens after a few minutes thanks to the humid summer air. I set an even pace and focus on the sound of my sneakers slamming into the pavement. Despite my best efforts to shut off my brain, it doesn’t get the memo. By the time I’m done with my run, I’ve developed a mental pros and cons list about texting Zahra that helps me come to one reasonable conclusion.
I should text her and find out what her true intentions are. There’s absolutely no way she’s only interested in messaging me to express her gratitude. No one is that pure—not even Little Miss Bubbly. I can use our conversations as an opportunity to probe around and find out how she really feels about me.
I go back home, shower, and drop onto my bed. I open the Google voice app on my phone because I want to use a fake number that she can’t trace back to me.
Me:Hey. Rowan gave me your number.
Okay. Not too bad. It’s simple and to the point.
My phone beeps a second later.How the hell does she type so damn fast?
Zahra:Hi! I’m not going to lie to you. I didn’t expect Rowan to actually do it.
I roll my eyes.
Me:Well, he did.
No shit. You’re texting her.I run a hand down my face.
Zahra:Well,I’m glad you messaged me!!!
Who in God’s name uses that many exclamation points? It should be considered illegal.
Zahra:I just wanted to say… 1. Thank you for helping me because I can’t draw to save my life. 2. Is there some way I can repay you?
Shewants to repayme? That can’t be the true reason she was interested in texting me.
Zahra:I’m broke with real money so I’m not sure if you accept Monopoly bills as currency?
I officially need to find out what kind of woodland fairies raised this woman because there’s no way she’s a product of the real world.
Zahra:Or I could take you out to dinner? My treat?
Me:I’ll pass. I’m not interested in acquiring food poisoning at a place that accepts Monopoly bills as currency.
Oh God. I reread the joke and cringe.
She follows up with three laughing emojis because she lacks subtly.
Zahra:No worries.
Zahra:I could make us dinner instead as a gesture of gratitude.
