“I messaged Sammy.”
I furrow my brows and say, “What?”
“Look.”
He shows me his phone and the messages to and from Samantha.
Conner: This may be odd and unexpected, but I’m with Noya right now. I thought maybe she could stay at my house, but I don’t think her dad would say yes if I sent him a message. I don’t like lying unless it is for a good cause. Could you message him and ask if Noya could sleep at yours tonight?
Sammy: Leave it to me.
Sammy: He responded. Here’s the screenshot for confirmation. Have fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Conner: Cheers.
“W-what?” I breathe when I read the confirmation from Dad. It is simple. A simple OK, but it’s there. Solid. “Why?”
Conner tilts his head, saying, “Is…because I want to spend more time with youenough?”
“For now,” I answer playfully.
“Okay, good, because,”—he leans forward and grabs a board game from underneath the coffee table—“I have some board games for us tonight. And we are going to do a Marvel binge.”
I smile and relax. Conner must not have seen the missing nail. At least I don’t have to worry anymore. He seems perfectly fine, and I’m the one acting a little strange.
After that conversation, I let go of my thoughts, and we play Snakes and Ladders. Then, we watch more movies while eating cold pizza. I grow more comfortable, letting my legs rest on his lap as we watch the film. His hand strokes my thighs, and a tingling sensation sparks between my legs.
The movie ends, and Conner sits up and stretches. “I’m going to have a shower. Did you want one after me?”
“Um…” I look away from him and murmur, “I might have a bath if that’s okay.”
“Baby,” he whispers as his arms move to either side of me, and he leans in, a seductive smile captivating me. “This is your home, too. You could have a four-hour bath if you wanted.”
“What if you need to pee?”
“I’ll pee in a cup. It’s not a big deal, Noya.”
“Can I go to the bathroom before you shower?” As I stand, a sharp pain hits my groin. I do a double-take and wince.
“Those squats really did a number on you, didn’t they?” he says.
When I look up, he eyes me, and that’s when I know he isn’t buying it.
“Y-yeah.” I head towards the bathroom when Conner comes from behind. I stiffen when his arms wrap around me, hugging me. He rests his chin on my shoulder. I shudder as Conner’s warm breath brushes against my neck and earlobe. “Conner…”
His lips press against the nape. I close my eyes and hitch my breath. “Noya,” he whispers, his lips grazing against me. “If you’re ever in trouble, you can call me. I’ll be there in aheartbeat.” His hand touches mine, and I flinch when he feels the Band-Aid. “Perhaps we should celebrate the entire weekend of your birthday here.”
“Next Saturday?”
“No. Next Friday afternoon, instead of taking youthere, we can go home—here.”
“You won’t take no for an answer?”
He shakes his head.
I smile and lean my head against his. “Okay. That’s the date.”
Next Friday. The day my life starts anew.