I like that he is objectifying me like a painting.

Like 8 am? he writes. If that works for you.

That works, I write, even though I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen that hour. I’m never up before 10:00 A.M. Beau doesn’t seem like an early riser either. But I like the idea of having a reason to get up early. I will force myself to go to bed early, and then I will wake up at 7:00 A.M. and go for a jog around the block to get my blood flowing. I’ll take a cold shower so my skin and hair will be fresh. I’ll wear my pink Juicy tracksuit, which will pop in the early-morning blue light.

Cool, let’s do Wednesday.

Perfect, I write, thrilled he picked the earlier option. Waiting until Friday would have been torture. I put my phone down and then return my gaze to the movie. After a few scenes, my phone lights up again.

You doing anything fun tonight? Beau writes. My pulse flickers under my skin.

Watching Knife in the Water, I write back, confident he’s not one of those moralistic idiots who judge art based on the personal choices of its creator.

Nice, you a Polanski fan?

I smile. He is making conversation. It is easier here, over text, with space between us. The energy of his person is too intense to bear, even with our laptops in between us. This is preferable now.

I was, I write back. Or I am. I don’t know. I sort of took a break from watching movies but I’m getting back into it.

Why did you take a break?

Jealousy. I am being honest with Beau for the first time.

I hear that, he writes back. I can’t even look at magazines anymore for the same reason.

My palms sweat against my phone. I’m not even paying attention to the movie anymore. Beau is being vulnerable with me. He probably feels the same as I do, that the energy between us is too intense to handle in person. I am nervous about the shoot, but I also think the tension will make for incredible photographs.

I understand. I keep typing. I thought about asking you what photographers you like but I’ll spare you that.

He responds with the prayer emoji. I wait for him to text more, but he doesn’t, which is fine. We have a plan for Wednesday morning. And I need to pay attention to the movie anyway, because I need to be prepared for coffee with my dad. I relax into the bed and refocus my attention on the screen.