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I type a message out one-handed.

Nick

I’m glad you like it. You said burgers were one of your favorite foods on that chart you made me memorize.

Sienna

I did. Is this one of your family’s restaurants?

The one I thought your mom managed.

Ha. I forgot about that.

I know a little more about you now, thankfully.

My next message feels risky. I type it and press send, biting my cheek until she replies.

Nick

How’s your dad doing?

Sienna

Better. Still working through stuff mentally, but not having financial issues helps a lot.

That’s great.

Are things okay with your dad? You seemed distracted in the car.

He told me to hire the brother of the man who ruined my reputation tonight.

Wow.

My ex best friend.

Were they both part of it?

They were.

That’s fucked up, Nick. I’m sorry.

Warmth rolls through me. Being believed, being taken seriously, is a feeling I hadn’t realized I was yearning for until I got my first taste that afternoon at Café de Mario. I’d been sitting alone with what Roderick did for so long that I’d practically given up, positive that no one would see through the headlines.

Then she showed up and wrote her number on my wrist.

We look at each other over the tops of our phones, long enough for the moment to grow taut. Her chest lifts and lowers. The service bell rings again, but neither of us turn to see if the people picking up their food have spotted us.

I press send on another risky text.

Nick

What about you? How are you doing, with all of this?

She cocks her brow. I shrug at her, like,Just wondering.

Not like I care or anything.

Sienna