Creep

—an excerpt—

Esther perched on the basement sofa, blushing as Pacey’s face graced the television screen. Pacey gazed in Joey’s eyes as the unlikely lovers stood on a bobbing dock in fictional Capeside, Massachusetts.

Joey: I want to come with you. I want to stop standing still. Pacey: What about Bessy and the B&B? They need you. Joey: Not as much as I need you.

Everyone said Parker was a dead ringer for Pacey on Dawson’s Creek, and it was true—they could be brothers. Esther considered this as Joey kissed Pacey and the couple jumped onto a boat called True Love.

When the closing credits rolled, the rotary phone trilled.

“I’ve got it,” Esther yelled up the stairs. She answered before the second ring.

“Total cliffhanger!” Lynn said through the phone. “Do you think Joey has finally gotten over herself?”

Esther’s best friend didn’t bother with a “hi” on their weekly debrief call.

“I feel so bad for Dawson, but, like, he’s sort of oblivious, you know?”

“Mmmm-hmmm...” Esther hummed in agreement, twisting her fingers around the phone’s coiled cord.

“Why do I bother asking you?” Lynn teased. “You’re too busy obsessing over your Pacey.”

Her Pacey.

Esther’s face reddened again.