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Me: my man?
Unknown Number: you're not as funny as you think you are, sweetheart
A giggle slips free without my permission. It's that damn use of a nickname. I can almost hear the way he says it, all low and seductive.
Ugh.
I'll admit, I'mnotfeeling my most comical right now. I've been cleaning and organizing for hours now, and that would be enough even if I hadn't stayed up until one o'clock in the morning watchingSons of Anarchyon my phone. I guess you could say I was feeling curious.
Me: I don't know. I'm feeling like Charlie might be my man after all the time I spent with him last night.
He doesn't reply right away, and I try not to read into it too much. I glance at the ornate metal clock on the wall and realize with a start that it's already noon. He's probably working, and maybe he only had a few minutes to chat.
Or maybe he didn't realize I was teasing?
I dismiss that thought almost as quickly as I have it. I like what I know of Nova, which admittedly isn't that much, but he doesn't seem like the type of guy to run away from a little misunderstanding. Even if it was deliberate on my end.
I tap the edges of my phone for a minute before I go into our text and save his contact information under Nova. I exit out of everything and toss my phone to the spot next to me on the couch. Right as I push to stand, my phone vibrates again.
Giddy anticipation pricks at my fingertips, and I turn it over to see a notification with his name on it. I feel like a teenager again, that same sort of fluffy light feeling swirling around inside my stomach.
Nova: There are only three possible Charlies in Rosewood right now. One is 75, one is married, and the other is accounted for.
My mouth parts, shock stealing my words completely.
Me: I have so many questions. How do you even know that?
Nova: It's a small town.
Me: it's not that small!
Nova: it is when you've lived here most of your life
Me: You didn't really check, did you?
Nova: and if I did?
Me: That's . . . I don't know, kind of crazy
Nova: only for you, sweetheart.
I feel my cheeks flush at his words, and I quickly look around the room to make sure no one is here. I'm still alone, Simon and Garfunkel singing about silence in the background.
Me: You don't even know me.
Nova: I know enough
I bite the inside of my cheek and stand up to pace a little bit. Was Cora right about him? Is he bad news? Or does he just flirt in a unique sort of way?
I find myself nodding, bolstered by the idea that he might've been riffing off of me. Maybe we're both bad at tease-flirting on texts.
I stop and let myself imagine saying no to him, not spending any more time together. Disappointment sinks like a weight in my gut.
Okay. There's my answer then. I throw Cora's caution to the wind and text him back.
Me: There's good seafood in Rosewood?
Nova: Technically, Tide & Table is in Glendale, right outside Rosewood.
