Chapter 6

Jenny rolled over at the sound of her phone going off. Glancing at the bedside clock, she noted it was after eleven.

“What the...” she exclaimed.

She had no idea who could be texting her because most of the people she knew would be asleep by now, especially on a Sunday night.

She swiped open her screen and a smile overtook her face in an instant. It was a text from Liam.

“Why is it I’ve spent the last two days trying to fall asleep and I can’t because all I can think about is you?

“Duh! Because I’m so very charming,” Jenny typed.

“No self-esteem problems, I see. Are you in bed now?” The text ended with an emoji doing an eyebrow wiggle.

“I usually go to bed early on Sunday. I have to work tomorrow.”

He sent an emoji with the tongue out and two hearts instead of eyes, and the text, “I’m thinking about you in bed.”

“Liam! Are you trying to start a sexting convo?” Jenny typed. Her cheeks were burning.

“What? No! Unless you want it, of course. That did come out creepy, huh?”

“See? I told you you’re a creeper.”

“Cat’s out of the bag now...”

“Why are you thinking about me?”

“I suppose I could have been more specific. All I can think about is buying some beer to go with my leftover pizza. I thought it’d be nice to have someone to share it with.”

“There’s such a thing as leftover pizza?” Jenny typed back.

“Are you trying to make me fall in love with you, Jenny?”

“Depends on if it’s working or not,” Jenny felt as if another girl would have possessed her fingers.

She realized she had forgotten completely about being in a wheelchair. She felt like the old Jenny again. Liam treated her like a woman. Would he change if he knew she couldn’t walk?

“Smooth. For the record, it is working.”

Jenny’s heart skipped a beat when she read the text.

“Prepare yourself for daily texts,” Liam added.

“I can live with that,” Jenny hurried to type back.

Jenny could imagine Liam smiling as he typed. Maybe thinking “Let’s see what she writes back about this?”

“Do you do this with everyone? Climb inside their heads and psych them out?” she typed.

“Is that what’s happening? What exactly am I doing that’s wigging you out?”

“Now my stupid brain says, ‘you’re making him fall in love with you. Don’t screw this up or it’s bye-bye.’ So you’re going to let me get all attached and then ... boom, rip that rug right out from under me, huh?”

Somehow, Jenny had managed to let her fears out. She needed Liam. At this moment, he was a lifesaver in a sea of turmoil. She didn’t want to lose him.

“Are you finished? You should know by now we’re practically besties.”