Jo: Jaxon Reyes.
Odette: Archer’s older brother?!
Jo: Yep.
Odette: The one who went to prison?
Jo: Yep.
Odette: OMG!??Details, please!
Jo: Nothing to tell.
Odette:??????
Jo: He drove me home. That’s it.
Odette: Boooooring.
Jo: That’s my middle name.
Odette: LOL.??In other news… We found you a date for prom!
Jo: ???
Odette: His name is Charlie. Plays lacrosse at Deerfield. Total hottie.
Jo: ???????
Odette: Hold on a sec.
A link appears in the chat box. When I click on it, I’m taken to a new window, featuring the profile of one Charlie Sears. Age 18. Marblehead resident. Deerfield Academy Senior Class President. Three-sport athlete. Certified scuba instructor.
I scroll through his pictures, taking in the chiseled jawline and dark auburn hair. The broad shoulders and bright eyes.
Odette wasn’t lying: he is, in fact, a total hottie.
The chat window pings again.
Odette: SEE?! Perfect, isn’t he?
Jo: Are you sure he wants to go with me?
Odette: Duh. We sent him your picture.??He thinks you’re a babe.
Jo: ……
Odette: I think the words you’re looking for are THANK YOU ODETTE AND OPHELIA! YOU’RE FANTASTIC!
Jo: Thank you Odette and Ophelia.
Odette: That’s the spirit. LOL. Gotta log off now. But message us this week if you want to go dress shopping! We’ll help you find something fab… even if we have to hit every outlet mall in Massachusetts.
Jo: Thanks.??I mean it.
Odette: xoxoxo
I close the laptop with a soft click. My mind spins, trying to recalibrate to this new information.