Page 59 of Lessons in Timing

“Is that the guy?” Skyler asked, the hands on my shoulders growing the slightest bit tighter. He was watching Terri with a frown that would have made the gods bow down and beg for forgiveness. “That’s him, isn’t it?”

“I’m sorry I didn’t text you back!” It burst out of me, practically a screech. “And I’m sorry I was so weird in class, and that I ignored you and—”

“Robin.” His face was full of concern, though he couldn’t quite hide the hurt. “We can talk about that in a minute. Is that the guy who as—”

“I want to talk about it now.” I took a deep breath. “I—”Think of a lie, think ofanylie“—I was embarrassed about what happened with Terri, and then I freaked out in class ’cause—’cause—’cause I wasn’texpectingyou!”

Skyler’s beautiful shoulders slumped. “You were avoiding me because of what I said at the café, weren’t you? About reporting Terri.” His perfect brows converged. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to pressure you into talking about it.”

“Yes.” I was going directly to hell. How washeapologizing tome? “It’s a work in progress.” God, he looked unreal. “I’m just sorry my ... mydramagot in the way of becoming your friend. Can we try again?”

Directly to hell. Do not pass Go.

He smiled back at me, though the muscles around his mouth were still tight and his eyes were sad. “Yeah. Um. I’d like that. But maybe this time, don’t vanish off the face of the earth?”

“I won’t,” I promised. This could work. As long as he never found out what a horrible, manipulative liar I was. “So, a little bird told me you were on the hunt for good local pizza?”

“A little bird, huh?” He laughed. “Was this little bird perhaps one of the many texts I sent you that you didn’t evenread?”

I grinned at him winsomely. “Nope. Definitely a bird.” It might take him a minute to stop being mad at me, but it already made zero sense that he was even talking to me right now.

Maybe Maggie was right and Skyler’s standards were low enough for me to clear. I was certainly going to try.

July 31st

Armand:Need more venezuelan munchkins?

Armand:*vegetarian muffins

Lucas:a guy cannot have too many venezuelan munchkins :)

Lucas:ok but do I want to know why that was your autofill option for vegetarian muffins

Lucas:thanks for those btw, I had no idea you could bake!

Armand:I bake when I’m upset.

Armand:Your Better Homes and Gardens came

Armand:I put it in the loo

Lucas:HOW DARE YOU

August 1st

Lucas:Skyler says hi. He says he misses being naked in your class lol jk he says he misses you and that you’re a “cool chap”

Armand:He’s a sweet kid.

Lucas:HE IS THOUGH

Lucas:It’s really funny that he knew the both of us before we’ve even met

Armand:It is suspicious. Are we entirely sure Skyler isn’t with the CIA?

Lucas:I thought skyler said you’re british? Shouldn’t he be interpol? Or MI6?

Lucas:Do u even know what the cia is?