” I asked, turning in the direction of my house. As fate would have it, our houses were in opposite directions of the Starbucks.
“Sounds good.” She turned toward her car, but suddenly turned back to face me. “Spencer?”
Before I could respond, she had enveloped me in a tight hug. My body responded immediately, but she pulled away soon after. “I had a good time tonight. I hope I can see you again soon.”
“Me too.”
As I tucked myself in that night, I was feeling much more positive than I had just 24 hours earlier. Ashley and I had had a really good night together, and there were no slip ups whatsoever. Maybe this friend thing really would work. Dream on, a little voice said. I quickly ignored it. I averted my thoughts to Avery, who was also seemingly good. How she had forgotten our fight last night so fast, I couldn’t begin to explain, but I wasn’t about to question it. There was no doubt, though, that something was strange.
Just then, my phone buzzed, and a smile rippled across my cheeks. I opened my phone, only to find something unexpected.
“I love you, Spencer.” My stomach twisted and dropped. I wasn’t expecting that. I wasn’t ready to say it yet. I began to panic.
“You too, Avery.” I typed back. Was that the same thing? I felt bad for circumventing it, but what else was I supposed to say? I sunk back against my pillow and allowed my thoughts to circulate when my phone buzzed once more.
“Goodnight, Spence” Though this text filled me with warmth, I couldn’t help but feel that the moment had been spoiled by the whole “L” bomb explosion beforehand.
“Night, Ash.”
