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That’s okay. I was just teasing you. Did you have a nice time?

Holly

I guess so.

I frown at the phone, sensing a change.

Everything okay?

Holly

It was uncomfortable. My brother and his girlfriend are having a baby. I’m excited about that.

That’s good news.

Holly

It is. I’ve never been around a baby.

I’m sure you’ll love it. Is that what made you uncomfortable?

Holly

No. My brother’s friend wants to know me better. He wants to talk or go out and eat. He gave me his card of phone numbers.

My jaw clenches. I saw this coming a mile away. I remember Zac Daniels and John Parker. I went to high school with them. They were both jocks, just like me. They’re both nice guys, not assholes. If Holly were my sister, I’d be trying to set her up with a nice guy, too, because that’s the kind of guy she needs. Someone with a career, and a future who can give her stability, maybe even a family. Not someone living in dysfunction junction like me.

It’s good for you to have more friends.

Holly

I have you and Feather and Anna and Poppy and Boomer.

I can’t help myself, so…

Do you like him?

There’s another long pause, and the screen taunts me, my question just hanging there. The more I stare at it, the more desperate and immature it makes me feel.Do you like him?What the fuckam I, fourteen again? Of course she likes him. He didn’t get beat with the ugly stick like I did.

Holly

He reminds me of the bad man. They dress the same. They have the same hair.

My heart sinks for her and rallies for me. It’s hard to run from bad memories. I try to say the right thing, because it’s the right thing to do, as the friend that I am. And above all else, I want Holly to be safe and cared about.

Give it time. Not everyone’s the same, even if they look like they might be. We both know looks are deceiving.

Look at me, being nice. It’s almost sickening.

Holly

Can I see Poppy tomorrow?

She makes me smile. That’s been our little way of avoiding actually saying we want to see each other, but I long for a day when we both say what we mean, and don’t hide behind hints.

Not tomorrow. The day after. I’ll pick you up at noon.

I want to give her a day to think. About me, hopefully. But also about John, because she deserves to have space to think and sort her thoughts out.