The next one is a long block of text. “Bond and Time bought a table at a charity gala this Saturday night. Would you happen to be free to join me as my date? The event is kind of a big deal for me and I’d love to have you there with me.”

The last one is a punch to my gut. “I miss you,” Blake wrote.

Raj emerges from my bathroom. His face lights up eagerly.

“Hey! Your soap? It smells ridiculously good.” He holds his palms to his face and inhales deeply.

I freeze. It’s not wrong to have Raj here. He’s a friend, isn’t he? There’s nothing illicit between us; I’m even helping him find other women to date. Technically speaking, I’m not even really sure that Blake and I are exclusive. We’re not an official couple, and we’ve never had a talk about whether or not to keep seeing other people. But with Blake’s texts burning in my hand, I suddenly feel guilty. With so much at stake, I should be spending my time and energy on Blake—not on any other guy, regardless of my intentions.

I gulp a swallow and try to droop slightly against the couch. “Um, I’m actually not feeling super well,” I say.

He drops his hands. “Oh, really?”

“Yeah, it, like, just came over me.”

“I could go get you some Tylenol? Benadryl? Sudafed? Advil?”

“Oh, no, I’m good. I think I have all that here.”

He grins. “You want some chicken soup? I know the best place for chicken soup. It’s not far from here, I swear.”

I’m torn. I feel even worse for lying to Raj.

“Seriously, I’m good. But I think it might be best if you head out.”

For a split second, his face drops.

“Yeah, totally. You should get some rest,” he says. He pushes up the sleeves of his hoodie and runs his hands through his hair.

He heads for the door and I meet him there. There’s a brief pause where neither of us knows what to do. He awkwardly leans in for a hug, but it’s a half-hearted one.

“Feel better soon,” he says, turning away. “Maybe I’ll see you around.”

“Yeah!” I call down the stairs as he takes them quickly away from my door.

When Raj is gone, I sprawl belly-down on my bed and answer Blake’s texts.

“Aw, I’d love to join you this weekend. That sounds amazing. Thanks for inviting me!”

He writes back a minute later. “Awesome. I’ll send you the details soon.”

“Perf. What are you up to, BTW?”

“Not much, actually . . . just Mad Men.”

“Can I come over?”

Before his response even hits my phone, I know what it’ll be. My heart races. I’ve got him.

• Chapter 13 •