I toweled off quickly and dropped onto my bed, grabbing an extra pillow to prop up my leg. When I was situated, my mind was once again full of Sarai. The way she talked, the way she moved, the way she smiled and used her hands like they were part of the conversation.

Ani was right. If we weren’t actually seeing each other, what were we doing? I’d thought the night of our picnic had gone really well, but I hadn’t seen Sarai since, and it was messing with my head.

I lifted my phone and pulled up our text messages. I hadn’t talked to her since this morning, and although that wasn’t uncommon for us, it suddenly felt like a glowing red flag.

Hey, what are you up to? I texted. It was a stupid question. I knew what she was up to. It was Tuesday, and she always worked on schoolwork Tuesday nights. I could set my calendar by how regimented Sarai was.

Writing a paper, pacing, writing some more, pacing, deleting and rewriting…

Dammit. I sighed. I was doing exactly what she’d said I would do. I was fucking pouting about her busy schedule. Before I could regroup, she sent me another text.

What are you doing? Softball practice tonight, right? 

Hurt my knee and came home early. Want some company?

There, I’d made my move. Ten minutes went by with no answer, so I sent another message.

I’ll bring my cleaning supplies…

Almost as soon as I’d sent my last text, a reply popped up on my phone.

Sure. What happened to your knee? Have you had dinner?

I grinned and texted her back.

Knee’s no big deal. I can grab something on my way over.

Seriously? Thank you! I’m staring at my fridge and it’s pretty much empty.

On my way.

I swung my legs over the side of the bed without thinking and let out a string of curses that would have made my mother blush. Dammit. I took a few minutes to breathe through the pain, then got up and dressed. I was really grateful that I’d taken that shower earlier, because there was no way I could take one now. I was definitely going to medical tomorrow.

I thought about going to a drive-through since walking to my truck was so painful, but at the last second, I turned toward Mr. and Mrs. K’s restaurant. I wasn’t sure what Sarai would want for dinner, but I knew they’d never steer me wrong.

I took a deep breath as I parked in the restaurant’s parking lot, then gritted my teeth as I climbed out of my truck. My knee seemed to be getting worse as I moved around, and I probably should have stayed home, but I was determined to see Sarai.

“Alex!” Mr. Krakowski called out as I pushed my way through the front door.