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I could picture her grin as she shot my words back at me.Understood.
My roommate and I were using candles to do a sort of ritual. Turns out pictures burn a lot faster than we anticipated, and things got out of hand. My roommate dropped the flaming paper on the rug, then the fire alarm went off, complete with sprinklers.
Tell me you were in skimpy PJs.
In November?
Just trying to get the image right.
Sorry. Tank tops and flannel pants. Worst wet t-shirt contest ever.
I laughed quietly.What did you do?
Shivered in the street for an hour, then packed up my soggy belongings and moved here.
The urge to wrap my arms around her, keep her warm and safe, took over my thoughts.Why were you burning pictures?
Voodoo curse. Roommate’s boyfriend cheated on her. Another strike against relationships.
Maybe she didn’t choose the right person for the relationship.What the hell was wrong with me? Flirting with Chloe was the definition of a mixed signal. I didn’t expect her to suddenly change her mind simply because I gave her another option. And what if she did? She’d still be D’s sister, and I’d still have promised him I’d take care of her.
Chloe responded right away.Maybe… but now it’s my turn to ask a question. What are you wearing right now?
Before I could come up with a reason to deflect her question, I flipped the camera and snapped a pic of myself in bed—bare chest, hair sticking up everywhere, but smiling. I hit send, knowing we were tipping toward the edge of friendship.
Is that a tattoo?
I took another look at the picture, and sure enough, the very edge of my tattoo was visible on my left shoulder.How did you see that?
I definitely didn’t zoom in to ogle your chest. What is it?
My thumb hovered over the screen. I’d gotten the tattoo when I first met D, and I mostly kept it covered. People who saw it wanted to know what it meant, and I wasn’t inclined to share a painful part of my past for their entertainment.
But Chloe was different.
A phoenix wrapped around my left shoulder.
How did I miss that? I’ve known you for years. Can I see it? In person, I mean.
The urge to invite her over was a physical ache. I was so hard I thought I’d sprain something, but nothing had really changed. Chloe wanted casual, and I didn’t.
Next time, Trouble. Gotta make sure the flammables are put away first.
The negative response didn’t slow her down for a second.Cute, considering you’re the one with a flaming bird inked on your body. Got any more tattoos you’ve failed to mention?
You mean besides your name on my ass?
Ha! I knew you were pining for me.
Every day.The fast-paced banter slipped past my usual reserve until I realized what I’d admitted. Knowing Chloe, she’d think it was another joke, but I was one hundred percent serious.
I wasn’t tired, but the line we shouldn’t cross loomed large in front of me.I should get some rest. Training early tomorrow. Thanks for the distraction.
Anytime, Noah. Seriously. We’re besties now. I’m going to text you every time something makes me think of you.
Goodnight, Chloe.
Sweet dreams, Noah.
