"Do you mind if I respond first?" I say, but I'm already texting Gio back.
[ Me: Yes, I'm home at the moment. I won't have a phone after this text, so I won't be able to receive calls or texts or respond to them. I don't know when I'm getting a new one. I'll be with my mom at the hospital tonight, so I'll just see you tomorrow at work. ]
I don't wait for his response and turn off the device. I remove my sim and memory cards before handing the phone over to him. "Thanks for letting me use it."
Bryce grips it in his hands. "I'm really sorry, Mal." He looks like he has something else to say but he purses his lips and turns around to leave.
I can't help it. "Nice pants."
A resigned chuckle comes out of him as he pauses for a second, his back still to me. "Yeah, I deserved it. Goodbye, Malia. Take care."
