Page 28 of Fighting With Light

Unknown: Oh? This is a relationship now?

Aelia: I should shoot you for that

Unknown: I love it when you talk dirty to me

Aelia: Oh you’re one of those

Unknown: I’m whatever you want me to be princess

Heat floods my sternum and spreads over me like syrup. This man knows exactly what he’s doing.

Aelia: Good to know because I like to be the one in control

Unknown: Oh, I’m aware, but the joke is on you because I know you’ll enjoy giving me control even more

Aelia: You don’t know me

Unknown: I’m excellent at research. I know plenty.

The pilot’s voice comes over the speakers of the plane, announcing that we will be taking off soon, and then the flight attendants start their safety speech, but I keep looking at my phone. It’s a weird feeling knowing someone knows you more than you know them simply because they dug it up. Of course, on my way home from Bali, I did all the research I possibly could on Liam. He’s a spectacular surfer, according to his stats and articles about him. I saw a few about his rock climbing prowess and his next goal is to free climb the Dawn Wall, which is heart-palpitating, especially after I looked up what free climbing was. I also got a look at his brothers, and his brother’s new wife and baby. That family has the blessing of good genetics because every single one of them is gorgeous.

Aelia: I did my own research, too

Unknown: Ha. I can’t wait to hear this

Aelia: Your brothers are hot

Unknown: I thought you only had eyes for me, princess

Aelia: Well, I don’t go after happily married men, even I have lines. But your older brother looks like fun.

Unknown: If you really did your research, you would know how utterly hilarious that statement was. What did you find out about me?

Aelia: How do you know I even looked you up

Unknown: I have my ways

I frown at my phone, wondering how he would…wait.

Aelia: You hacked my phone?

Unknown: I know you looked up my record, impressive, I know. And then all my rock climbing stats, those are my favorite. But what gets me is how you looked up a picture of my brother and his family. I found that quite interesting.

Aelia: You’re insane

Unknown: You’re beautiful

Aelia: That wasn’t aninsult

Unknown: I thought we were giving each other compliments

Aelia: Fine, you’re unhinged

Unknown: Yes, and you get me all hot and bothered when you call me names

I chuckle at the phone.

Aelia: I wanted to know more about you