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We wouldn’t have to lie to Raine about seeing each other and this gives you enough time to check your schedule.

It sounds more enticing with every message she sends, but reality is a bitch, and if she wants to know every part of me, then this was included.

That sounds amazing, but I can’t afford to get my hair done right now.

Three dots bounce on the bottom of my screen before disappearing and reappearing again. It happens another three times before my phone vibrates in my hand and Zara’s name runs across the screen.

“Hello.”

“Hey,” she breathes out. “I tried to text but none of it was coming out right.”

Not wanting to be late to work, I place the phone between my ear and shoulder, and lock up the house before heading to the nearby bus stop. “What’s not coming out right?”

“I know this isn’t going to sit right with you, and I’m not trying to overstep, but I don’t charge my family when I do their hair,” she says. When I don’t answer, she adds, “That includes you. Nothing about that invite had anything to do with money. It didn’t even cross my mind, I just wanted to do someth?—”

“Zara,” I interject. “Slow down.”

There’s no denying she and I are from different pay brackets, with very different life experiences, but there are ten years between us, and while it doesn’t often pose a problem, I have to consider that there are going to be times when it’s going to come up. Case in point.

And while I want to stand my ground and hold my own in every facet of my life, I don’t want Zara to be tying herself up in knots in the process or miss the fact she included me in her family.

“Shit. I really fucked this up, didn’t I?”

“No…” I pause, running my hand over my face. “This is part of it, right?”

I’m grateful she isn’t pointing out the differences between us or offering to pay, because I’m protective over my independence, and I’m certain Zara knows that.

“If you’re sure family doesn’t pay, then I’ll make sure I schedule myself off that day.”

She exhales loudly into the phone, and I feel her relief as if it’s my own.

“I’m sorry,” she says again.

“I’m sure you can make it up to me,” I tease, trying to lighten the mood.

“Do you have any ideas?”

“Actually,” I drawl as an idea formulates in my mind. “ I do. Are you free on Monday night?”

“I can and will be.” There’s no missing the priority she’s placed on us, and my stomach fills with butterflies at her assurance. “I miss you.”

“I miss you too,” I echo before admitting, “Like really stupid amounts.”

“I’m happy to know I’m not the only one.”

“Talk to you tonight?” I ask.

“Always.”

We hang up, and the smile that was on my face when I answered doubles in size. While the ache in my chest from missing her never dissipated, the happiness that fills me from being attracted to someone and exploring something so new and exciting with them fuels me.

My phone vibrates almost immediately, and I’m surprised to see Nina’s name on the screen.

“Hello,” I greet.

“Did the phone even ring?” Nina says as soon as she hears my voice.

“Sorry, it was in my hand and I just hung up with Zara.”