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"Yeah… we're getting coffee."

"Awww," I replied.

"We asked Rifyr, but he was busy."

"Now I'm jealous…" I said, sending a pouty pig emoji.

"You like coffee?" Sorrel teased.

"Not so much. I'd enjoy the company though." As ifthatweren't the understatement of the century.

"I'd love to keep you company…" Sorrel said in way of reply.

I could feel my cheeks pinking up at the thought of going anywhere with him. "You would, huh? You'd keep me company in my tower?"

"Absolutely. In your tower. Or out of it. In my apartment. Out for coffee. At the movies… any of that stuff."

"So you'd… you'd like… want to take me out? Like on dates?" I prodded.

"Of course I would. On the nights you're not out with Rifyr or Kinden. Or I guess we could just all four go out and do things too. If you don't mind having us all around you at once…"

"I don't mind in the slightest," I replied. "Kind of the only thing that keeps me going is the fantasy of going out with you guys…"

"Doesn't have to be a fantasy, Zelle. Say the word and we can make it real," he insisted.

"Real, huh?" I replied. "This convo seems a little real for where you are… did you want me to let you go? So you and Kinden can enjoy your coffee?"

"Nah, you make everything better, Z. You probably should shoot Kinden a quick message tho."

I swiped my screen, moving back to my list of contacts, and quickly sent Kinden a heart emoji.

I got one back in quick succession. Along with a short message in response. "We'll chat later, okay? I know Sorrel's been wanting to talk with you for a little while."

Grinning, I sent back my agreement and went back to my other chat window.

Sorrel had sent a selfie. Him with his coffee and Kinden in the background, bent over his phone. Likely seconds before. When he'd been texting me.

I pressed my lips together, feeling a couple tears well up in my eyes as I yearned to be there with them. With Sorrel's arm around me. Or Kinden's. Or both. The coffee, I could take or leave. But the company...

Also, I would have convinced Rifyr to join us. Because I was fairly certain I could convince him to do anything.

"You guys are beautiful," I replied, sending several heart emojis.

"So are you," Sorrel replied.

"You don't know that."

"Yes, I do," he insisted.

I hoped he was right.

Sorrel

"See?" I nudged Kinden's shoulder with my own. "She's fine. She's not mad at you. She doesn't hate your guts…" He looked phenomenally relieved.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah…" he replied.

Kinden shot me a look and reached over to try and steal a bite of the last blueberry scone in the cafe. I smacked his hand away. "Go take some stealth lessons from Rifyr before you try that again. It's just embarrassing."