“What? What’d you do?” She sets down her coffee and leans against the counter, all chipper eagerness. I should’ve known she would appreciate my bad decisions.
Telling her might not be the best idea I’ve ever had, but I need to unburden myself to someone. “You know how I was going to text my friend last night?”
“Of course. Your text-should-be-sext guy from your nerdy forums.”
“I’m not on nerdy forums. I’m on mystery writer forums. We help each other with research. Like how to murder someone and leave no trace. Or how to get rid of a body.”
“You’re kind of proving my point here. And also, you’re freaking me out.”
“Okay, fine. Maybe I am on nerd forums. But I didn’t meet him there. It’s a long story.” I’ve never told Daisy or Audrey about how I met Remington. I never even told Nanna. I’m not sure why, other than it felt too personal.
Our relationship is just between Remington and me. I also don’t want their judgment. They’ll tease me about being catfished. I know our relationship is weird. But it works for us. Or at least, it did, before I messed everything up.
I look down at my hands. “The problem is, we’ve been messaging each other for years, and I’ve sort of developed feelings for him.”
“I knew it! You like him. So, what’s the problem?”
I sigh. “From the beginning, we agreed not to get too personal. No names, photos, not even phone calls. But we got close. So last night, I took a chance, probably because of your champagne and Nanna’s letter.”
“Oh, my god! I forgot to ask. What did Nanna’s letter say?”
“She said I needed to start taking more risks.”
“Go, Nanna. I miss her.” Daisy’s smile is a little misty.
We exchange wistful looks. “Me too.”
I know that Daisy, like me, didn’t have much in the way of parents. Nanna took Daisy under her wing and cared for her as well. When she died, she left a hole in both of our lives.
Daisy shifts, as if shaking away the memories. “So, continue. Last night, you were drunk, lonely, and horny.”
“I didn’t say I was horny! Well, maybe I was a little. But anyway, I sent him a selfie and wrote that I wanted to be with him.”
I pass her my phone, and she reads my message, then grins.
“Honestly, I kinda dig Drunk Olivia. You really put it out there. You’re smoking hot in that photo you sent him. So? Are you two an item now?”
I watch as she scrolls down to read the message he sent me back, and she inhales sharply.
“Shit, I’m sorry, honey,” she says softly as she passes the phone back to me with a frown of concern. “Maybe he’ll change his mind after he thinks about it.” She reaches to touch my hand. “He might have just been caught off guard.”
I shake my head. “He made it pretty clear that he doesn’t want anything more than an online friendship. He hasn’t messaged again, and I’m too humiliated to text him back.”
“I hate to tell you this, Olivia, but this might be for the best. You can do better. He’s probably texting you from his mother’s basement.”
“I knew you’d think that. But he doesn’t come across as a creep.”
“Eh.” Daisy shrugs. “I’m not sure if you can tell. There are a lot of online catfishes. You probably dodged a bullet. Besides, he’s an ass if he isn’t running here to meet you. And as for drunken mistakes, welcome to the real world. We all do stupid shit when we drink. I’ve done way worse. It’s why I never drink cheap vodka anymore.” She shivers. “Only the top shelf for me.”
“It’s not all his fault. I changed the rules on him.”
“Oh shit. What if he’s married?” Daisy gasps, as if the idea just occurred to her.
My stomach churns. “He’s not. I’ve thought about it. But I don’t believe he is.”
I shove the coffee cup away, sick from more than just the alcohol. “Did I ruin everything, Daisy? I don’t want to lose him. He’s my best friend.”
“Excuse me. Aren’t I your BFF?”
I can’t help but smile. “You’re my best girl friend.” I sigh. “In her letter, Nanna encouraged me to take more risks. Problem is, this photo and message were my first risks, and it didn’t end so well.”
Daisy leans forward. “That doesn’t mean you should stop. This is the best thing you’ve done in ages, no matter how it ends. Think about it. You never took the time to get to know anyone real because you’ve been hung up on a fantasy. Now, you can find someone who can actually seal the deal.”