Figures.

Hope you’re not mad.

He loves Alice, you know.

I know. And she loves him as well.

I know.

They should be together. I typed and my fingers shook. I wanted to add, just like us.

You’re looking good.

You too.

You don’t look like you’ve been spanked in a while.

You could change that. I held my breath as I pressed send.

I’m still mad at you.

I know.

You totally played me.

I didn’t mean to.

You should have asked me what was going on if you had doubts.

I didn’t think.

Obviously.

I had a rough childhood. Two messed up parents. It affected me. I’m sorry.

I thought it was your dad that abandoned you?

Yeah, but mom is off as well.

Oh. Sorry.

Not your fault. And not an excuse. It just makes me a bit of a mess in relationships and dating stuff.

Got it.

You have a great family, though. I love Aiden. He’s amazing. And Liv seems really funny as well.

Yeah, they’re not bad. I’ll keep them.

Liv’s fiancé, Xander, seems cool too. Why does she call him Mr. Tongue?

Who told you she calls him that?

I heard her saying something to Alice.

Oh. Smh.

What?

You don’t want to know.

I do.

Well, I don’t want to talk about it.

Why not?

She’s my sister.

So?

Think about it!

About what?

Mr. Tongue!

Oh! I started laughing as I realized what Mr. Tongue must have inferred. Oops!

Yeah! Ugh! Do not want to think about my baby sister like that.

You’re funny.

You’re sexy.

Not really.

Yes really!

I grinned as I stared at his last messages. Scott thought I was sexy. Maybe that meant he really liked me after all.

You there or did I lose you?

I’m here.

Can I call you?

I grabbed my phone and called him instead.

“Hey you,” he said as he answered the phone.

“Hey,” I said softly.

“I can’t believe you’re doing those acting gigs.” He sounded annoyed. “I mean—”

“Scott!” I sighed. “Are we going to start off the call this way?”

“Would you rather it be phone sex?”

“No.”

“I’m still mad at you.” He sighed. “It was a shock seeing you the other day.”

“It was a shock seeing you as well.” I took a deep breath. “Did you lose your job?”

“No, but I did get written up.” He sighed. “I’d already complained about Helen, so she was fired, but I was written up for indecent conduct on company property.”

“Sorry,” I said softly. “I shouldn’t have done it.”

“I’m glad you did it.” He laughed. “It was hot. Damn. I still think about it at night.” He sighed. “However, what I don’t like is the reason why you did it.”

“I didn’t just do it to embarrass you,” I said softly. “I enjoyed it as well.”

“I know you did,” he said huskily. “You forget I felt your orgasm.”

“Scott,” I said, feeling embarrassed.

“What?” he said with an amused tone. “Don’t tell me you’re embarrassed now.”

“I’m not embarrassed,” I lied.

“Good,” he said. “You shouldn’t be embarrassed. You should feel proud. Proud of your sexual rebellion, not of your lack of trust in me.”

“I know, and I am.” I laughed. “Kind of.”

“So, should we start over?” he asked softly. “Do you want us to go on a date?”

“Yes, I’d like that,” I said softly, my heart racing, but suddenly a fear filled me. A fear that I knew all too well. A fear that had stopped me from going on dates in the past.

“Did you hear that Xander proposed to Liv?” Scott said casually. “Can you believe it?”

“No, I didn’t know.” I laughed. I wasn’t sure why I lied. Maybe it was because I wanted to see what he was going to say. “I don’t really know them.”

“Sorry, I always forget that you haven’t been in my life longer. I always feel like I’ve known you forever.”

“I feel the same way,” I said and closed my eyes, so I could think of his face as we spoke. “Anyway, why are you shocked that Xander proposed to Liv? Didn’t you say he loved her?”

“Yeah, but so soon.” His tone dropped slightly. “They barely know each other. I love my sister, you know, but I think they should date for a bit longer. I don’t think people need to rush into an engagement.”

“Oh.” I held in a sigh. “How long do you think a couple should be dating before they get engaged?”

“Five years?” he said seriously and my heart stopped. Five years? “You?” he asked me softly and I wondered how we had gotten to such a serious conversation already. We’d only just got to talking again.

“I don’t know, maybe six months to a year.” I said.

“Six months?” His voice was incredulous. “What?”

“I think when someone knows, they know. True love and soul mates should be together as much as possible. I see nothing wrong with getting engaged and married quickly.”