Page 8 of Perfectly Us

“Well, if you change your mind, let me know,” Alex says, pulling out his phone. “What’s your number?”

Ruben snorts and shakes his head.

“Um.” I look between the two of them before settling on Alex. “Why do you want my number?”

“So I can properly stalk you.” He winks.

Is he… flirting?

No.I must be imagining things.

I rattle off my number, and he plugs it into his phone. Seconds later, my cell buzzes in my back pocket.

“Just sent you a text so you know it’s me.” Alex slurps the last of his smoothie before dropping it in the trash bin. “Talk to you later, Shiloh.”

He and Ruben leave the coffeehouse. I stare after them in a state of… confusion? Shock? I don’t know. Alex is easygoing and exudes a cool confidence. I’ve never met anyone else like him.

Once all the customers are seated with their drinks, I pull out my phone and click the text.

unknown number:Boo

I find myself smiling as I add him to my contacts. My thumbs hover over the screen as I debate on responding to his text. But what would I say? I don’t want to sound dumb.

So I pocket my phone and say nothing at all.

Chapter Three

Alex

“He still hasn’t texted me back,” I whine after checking my phone for the millionth time.

“Maybe he doesn’t have anything to say.” Ruben primps in front of the mirror, messing with the top of his black hair. “Not everyone is a blabbermouth like you.”

“True.” I throw myself on his bed, facedown.

“You really have a thing for this guy, huh?”

“Eh. I barely know him. But there’s something there, ya know?” I turn my face on the pillow and watch as Ruben pulls off his shirt and tugs on another. “I like that one better. Blue is totally your color.”

“You think Melody will like it?”

“I’m sure she’ll like it better once it’s on the floor.”

Ruben releases a raspy little laugh and pops his collar.

“Dude, no,” I tell him. “Don’t douche collar it. Ruins the whole look.”

“I don’t look like a douche.”

“Tell that to the popped collar.”

Sighing, he smooths the collar back down.

“This is why we’re besties.” I sit up and throw my legs over the edge of the bed. “You need someone to tell you these things.”

“Says the guy who wore a shirt with the poop emoji on it the other day.”

“Okay, I legit thought it was chocolate ice cream when I bought it. I was high. It happens.”