Page 108 of Burning Ember

Bethany looks at me with an expression that says, “Oh, my Lord, she’s wasted.” Then she rolls her eyes and continues to mop up the mess.

Something wiggles on the top of my thigh and startles me. Looking down, I remember the phone in my pocket.

After pulling it out, I see I have two messages.

Luce: 512 miles of road and I don’t remember a mile of it . . . I can’t stop thinking about you.

Luce: You there?

My insides do a series of flips. Goosebumps spread over my arms. Not only because he’s put himself in my phone as Luce, but also because he’s texting me. The messages are spaced thirty-eight minutes apart with the last one being sent a second ago.

“Is that a message from him?” Lily tries to peak over my shoulder. I pull the phone tight to my chest and she laughs. “It is. Look at you. You’re blushing.”

I fight to push down my excitement and embarrassment, as I stare at the phone for a good five minutes trying to think of what I should say back, if anything.

Bethany and Lily start making themselves Silver Sanctuaries. The drink Lily says is named after Goose.

I type and delete what I write five times before I decide to go with something simple. I don’t tell him how excited I am to hear from him, or how I can’t stop thinking about him either. Though both are true.

Me: I’m here . . . still here.

His reply comes within a few seconds.

Luce: You scared me. Didn’t think you were going to respond. Thought maybe you already left.

Me: I wouldn’t leave without telling you.

Luce: You don’t know what that means to me, Doll. You doing okay?

Me: Yeah.

I almost leave it at that. But I find myself typing and deleting again. Finally, after taking a breath, I just type my thoughts and hit send.

Me: Bethany’s mixing drinks. Lily’s toasted. We’re having a girl’s night.

Luce: And you are . . . ? Sober . . . drunk . . . ?

Me: Feeling relaxed.

Luce: Having a good time?

Me: Yes. And believe it or not, I’ve never done this.

Luce: What?

Me: Had a girl’s night out.

I’ve had a girls’ night out with Will, when we’ve gone out for ice cream, or rented a movie and stayed in. But never with friends.

Luce: No?

Me: No.

Luce: Then I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself. I’ll let you get back to it.

I feel a pang of regret that he’s ending our exchange. But I’m not about to tell him that.

Me: Okay. Good night.