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Evie

Exactly forty-three messages await me after I run all the little errands, slump on my couch, and finally dig my phone out of hiding.

There is a message from Wild.Messages.

I sit up on my couch and open the message.

Wild: Thank you for your trust and the best date ever.

Wild: So far.

I laugh and settle in to reply. Then I note the time. He sent the message more than three hours ago.Maybe he’s slept off?

Evie: You've said that like three times. Now, who needs a dictionary?

Wild starts typing. He's awake!

Wild: I take my words back. You should totally write your own dictionary. You don't need one, Sweetheart.

Sweetheart . I press my phone to my chest, smiling like a fool.

Evie: When are you opening your woodwork stall?

Wild: I need some education first. I might take some classes.

Evie: I shouldn't be surprised. I mean, there are classes for gardening.

Wild: And basketball

I giggle.

Evie: Walking in heels.

Wild: Breathing quietly .

Evie: No way.

Wild: Yes, way. Google is your friend.

We text for hours. When I check the time, it's 2:00am. Madness. I see him all the time. I've had him by my side forever, but I still have so much to tell him.

Evie: Did you feel wooed today?

Wild: Totally. Very wooed.

I do an excited roll, forget I'm on the couch, and land on the ground. Heavily. I feel like I broke something.

Wild: Evie?

Evie: Just fell from my couch.

Wild: Sorry. Happens a lot?

Evie: Sometimes. What game films are you going to watch?

Wild: Should I expect you at some coaching booth soon?

Evie: I found the behind-the-scenes conversation and planning fascinating.

Wild: I guess it can be.

Evie: Now, when I'm watching, I will watch out for those things the coach mentioned .

Wild: Yep. I'm going to see you at some coaching booth.

Evie: Jackie is giving me the 'when are you sleeping, human' side-eye.

We text and text and text until my fingers start cramping. I need to remember we might be temporary. How do you spell that again? I'm so gone. It's scary. Scary thoughts lead to me not texting. Wild is typing, but I'm not replying. He must think I've drifted off and bids me good night.

Evie: I want to trust us badly. I want us to be forever.

Ugg. I push my head against the couch and close my eyes tight.

My head takes me back to the old feeling of turning away from my mother's door to Mrs. Langford. There's that look on her face, the knowledge that I've just been rejected.

Wild has never made me feel that way. The opposite. But still.

I delete the last message.

Evie: I'm serious about the game films.

He's still online.

My eyes can't take it any longer.

I fall asleep.

◆◆◆

When I wake up, I'm groggy and need at least ten more hours of sleep. Jackie also needs my attention.

But what do I do first? I go for my phone.

Wild: Saw your message before you deleted it.

I groan. Kill me now.

But then I force myself to read further.

Wild: I want to trust us badly. I want us to be forever--this a million times.

And an hour later. Another message full of links.

Wild: Here are the game films, Coach. I will be eagerly awaiting your input.

I'm a wreck.