Page 22 of Threads That Bind Us

“Great, does he get a lunch break? We can bring him something.” She slips next to the window and I sit beside her.

“There’s no way I’m getting out of this one, huh?”

She shakes her head, nearly bouncing with joy.

“Shouldn’t have asked me what I wanted if you didn’t want an honest answer,” she taunts, peeking over my arm while I pull up my texts with Charlie. I turn the screen away and shoot her a glare, but it doesn’t dim her smile.

This was going to happen eventually. I just thought I mighthave more than twenty-four hours to process all of this. Apparently not.

Me

On a scale from one to ten, how busy are you right now?

The bubbles pop up, disappear, and then reappear.

Charlie

Is everything okay?

I laugh, and Ana tries to sneak another peek before I pull her hood over her eyes.

Me

Yeah, no emergency. Ana’s just asking to meet you.

Charlie

Oh.

Yes.

I mean zero. I’m not busy. That’s fine. Good.

Are you on your way home from the hospital?

I stare as the strange cadence of texts rolls through. What is happening? Does he not want to meet her and feels obligated to? Is he uncomfortable? He seemed completely fine with discussing Ana’s presence in my life yesterday.

Me

If you’d rather wait it’s no big deal, I can tell her you had work.

Seriously, no worries.

His reply isimmediate.

Charlie

No, I want to. I was just surprised. I’m in the Navy Yard but I’m leaving now. Why don’t we meet at that cafe on Belmont and 18th?

Let me know when you get off the bus.

Also, why are you on the bus and not with Zane?

I roll my eyes and change my settings so he can see my location.

Me

If you wanted to stalk me you could have asked nicely.