Page 74 of Hot Tea & Bird Calls

Celene had never been so relieved to eat before she left the city. She rolled her bag into the primary suite. “Order without me. I’m fine.”

“We could save you something.”

“Do whatever you please.” Then, she shut the door behind her.

This would be a long week. That morning, Elise sent Celene a three-part text message detailing her and Ajay’s “honeymoon away from the honeymoon,” rife with hikes, eateries, and “small town Americana” she’d researched. This honeymoon would not fucking end, god.

Draping on her mom’s old cardigan, Celene scrolled through her sister’s messages again. These were all open invitations, and she planned to accept none of them, thank you very much. She closed out of that, or else she’d form another headache. Besides, she had more intriguing people to contact.

Celene – 6:34 pm

Hey, Nature Girl. Got here in one piece.

When will you show me your secret studio?

Skye replied speedily. Home already, probably.

Skye – 6:36 pm

Any weekday after 4pm. Today won’t work because Luce’s friends are here playing spades all evening.

Well, friends for now. Card games turn them into short-term enemies.

Celene – 6:39 pm

Are you playing with them?

Skye – 6:40 pm

No way. They’d hurt my feelings.

I’m hiding in my room.

A broad smile came naturally, as this opened the gates for shameless flirting.

Celene – 6:41 pm

Send me a picture of you.

The three dots bounced and bounced for over a minute. Ending in:

Skye – 6:44 pm

You first.

Celene rolled onto her stomach, gasping. The pushback wasn’t entirely unexpected, but she couldn’t help kicking herlegs, supremely giddy. Wasting no time, she woke up her hair with some tossing and rid herself of the cardigan. Sorry, Mom. Time to look sexy.

After straightening her blouse, she captured six photos of herself. Half of them straight-faced with a hint of seduction. The other half with a small smile. A difficult choice on what to send until Ajay knocked on the door, asking if she liked jalapeños.

“Ugh. Yes,” she answered. Nothing hot and heavy could happen with these people interrupting. Skye was probably in the same boat in a house full of family friends.

Celene couldn’t wipe the grin off her face when she attached a smiling selfie. Her irritation evaporated in minutes. She even left her watch at home on purpose; another method of disconnecting. Contrary to her family’s opinions, she liked being happy.

Skye – 6:55 pm

Damn

I keep staring like it’s going to disappear.