I sat there a second, pulse racing, then bolted for the balcony like I needed oxygen. I slid the glass door shut behind me and leaned on the railing, trying to calm myself down.
The same sunbed where I'd taken Nala's virginity sat to my right. I smiled at it, soft and a little stunned. If I hadn't stepped in that day at the anime convention, if I hadn't stood up to her brother, I'd still be rotting in that old apartment, living a life I hated. Funny how one decent moment changed everything.
My phone buzzed. Mendy.
I answered and sank onto the sunbed. "Hey."
"H-hey, Evan," she said, soft and nervous. "Hope I'm not calling too late."
"Nah, perfect timing." I rubbed the back of my neck. "What's up?"
A long pause. "I… was going to ask yesterday, but stuff came up. Would you maybe want to have dinner tomorrow?"
"Penelope coming?" I asked quickly, hoping.
I wanted her to say yes desperately. Because there was no way she'd confess to me with Penelope around.
