Chapter 7

Jenny had a hard time concentrating on her classes. Liam was always in her thoughts. They messaged and talked on the phone for weeks. They had so much fun together, talking about everything and nothing and laughing about everything and nothing.

Jenny rolled her chair to join the lunch queue at the cafeteria. She had learned how to maneuver her wheelchair into the line, survey the food, make a selection, and roll her chair back to her classroom. Weather was too chilly to be outside.

She had trouble deciding what she would have for dessert, so she took her phone out of her purse and texted Liam.

“Are you on your lunch break?”

“Yep. Good timing.”

“I need your help. Cake, brownies, ice cream? GO!

“What?”

“Pick one! Hurry! A queue is forming behind me!”

“Ah, tough call. How about ... a brownie cake with ice cream?”

“I think I just came.”

“I am known for my skills.”

“Stop it! I’m in my school. Save that talk for later.”

“Wait ... really?” He added an emoji with eyes opened with surprise.

“OMG! Of course not, pervert!”

“YOU STARTED IT!”

“I need you to pick between cake, brownies, and ice cream.”

“Umm ... brownies. With chocolate and vanilla ice cream on top. Chocolate sauce drizzled over it. And sprinkles.”

“I hate you. I put it all in my cart. It will be your fault when I fall into a sugar coma.”

“You can thank me later.”

“You promise to come to my funeral?”

“I’ll recount all the marvelous memories we’ve had together, including where I gently pushed you to feast upon magical desserts. I’ll lean down to your casket and whisper, ‘You’re welcome.’”

Jenny picked up the brownie and apologized to the students behind her, and wheeled herself back to her class.

“You are incredibly exhausting,” she typed.

“But still awesome.”

Liam always managed to make her smile, or laugh like she was laughing now, leaning helplessly against her phone.

“And humble. We can’t forget that one. Did you pick the brownie?” he asked her.

Jennie took a photo of the half-eaten brownie and sent it to Liam.

“Are we starting a sex convo? Okay, you showed me yours, I’ll show you mine.”

Jenny’s phone pinged and she cautiously opened the attachment to see a picture of a tongue licking a cone of ice cream. Below the pic, it read, “BESTIES FOR LIFE.”