Chapter 20

twenty

Texting Break One

Group Chat: Bad Bitches

[Stef Carter, Lily Long, Delia Shane, Nessa Rabin]

Stef:

What happened at my house last night?

Lily:

smirk emoji Someone who isn’t me is causing a scene in town.

Delia:

high five emoji

Stef:

The Springer alert says something happened there last night.

Nessa:

shrug emoji

Lily:

Oh man, the town gossip is so much more fun when it isn’t about me!

Nessa:

Those are inside thoughts, Lil… and yes, it is… blond facepalm emoji

Stef:

What the fuck?

Mateo:

New phone, who dis?

Stef:

Hilarious. What did you do?

Mateo:

Nessa tried to sneak out in the middle of the night and set off an alarm.

Stef:

When did I get an alarm?

Mateo:

You’re welcome?

Stef:

Okay, so what else?

Mateo:

I need an epic date to win her over. Any ideas?

Stef:

link

Mateo:

Genius. This is why you’re the one getting a PhD… Thank you. Best sister ever.

Stef:

Why did I just get a $500 cash transfer?

Mateo:

Because dinner is on me. Grab your husband and go out to dinner. Pick someplace nice.

Stef:

Nesssssssss, what’s wrong with my brother? WE COULD BE SISTERS!!!

Nessa:

It’s almost midnight. Are you delirious from studying?

Stef:

Mateo sent us out to dinner and asked me to help him. Is this working?

Nessa:

Where did you go?

Stef:

We went to the East Village. We ate too much and wandered. Got some drinks. Got more drinks. They were yummy. Now Lee’s sitting with the tattoo artist, discussing drawing techniques.

Nessa:

Tattoo artist? LEE IS GETTING A TATTOO?

Stef:

No. Well, yes. But he wants to get an apprenticeship.

PARENT SHIP

PIRATE SHIP

Nessa:

Apprenticeship?

Stef:

face palm emoji That.

Nessa:

Drink some water and take Advil before bed. Go enjoy your date with your husband.

Stef:

Hey, wait… you distracted me. You didn’t answer me…

Mateo:

What are you doing tomorrow?

Nessa:

Trying to prep for Rosh Hashanah. That’s Jewish New Year.

Mateo:

That’s the apples one, right?

Nessa:

Apples and honey, yeah.

Mateo:

Perfect. Get dressed. Wear something comfortable and cute and be ready to go around 11. We’re taking your car. It’s good top-down weather.

Nessa:

Perv

Mateo:

I meant the car, but if you want to hang out with me with your top down again, I’m not going to argue.

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