Me:Maybe in another life.
She sends back a smiley face. That's it. And I let myself breathe again.
I don't know how long this little illusion can survive. And when she discovers who I really am… the truth scares me more than I want to admit. But right now, she's texting me. For the first time in a while, I'm not thinking about broken fences or developer threats or whether this town is about to get swallowed whole.
I'm thinking about her.
Finn's truck rumbles up the driveway and kicks up a trail of dust. A minute later, he hops out and saunters over, catching sight of the phone still in my hand.
"Well damn, Asher. You're smiling at your phone like a teenager. You sexting or shopping for bulls?"
I roll my eyes and shove the phone into my back pocket. "Neither. Go bother Zach."
Finn leans against the tailgate of my truck, arms crossed, grinning. "Don't think I've ever seen you grin at a screen. Who is she?"
"No one," I say too fast. Then softer, "Just someone new."
He lifts an eyebrow but lets it go. "Alright, cowboy. Keep your secrets. Just don't let her be a spy for the developers, or I'll be really pissed if I have to take a pitchfork to her boss."
I snort. "Noted."
Finn heads toward the barn, and I stay behind, watching the sunset and pulling out my phone again. One more message from Kassi blinks up at me.
Kassi:Thanks for texting back. Tonight made my day a little better.
I smile, thumb hovering over the screen. Then I type back.
Me:Mine too, Kassi.
And I mean every word.
Chapter 5
Kassi
Ishould be concentrating on the report in front of me, but instead I find myself glancing at my phone for the fifth time in as many minutes. It's ridiculous. I've got deadlines looming, a spreadsheet that's not balancing, and a daughter who's going to need help with her volcano project when she gets home. I should not be grinning like an idiot at a text thread.
But I am.
Bear:Are all infrastructure consultants this easily distracted, or is it just you?
I bite my lip, fighting the smile threatening to stretch across my face. I type back quickly.
Me: Only when charming cowboys refuse to stop texting during business hours.
The response comes within seconds.
Bear:You didn't say you wanted me to stop.
Me:I didn't say I wanted you to keep going either.
Bear:So, you're saying there's a chance.
When I laugh out loud, I earn a curious look from the woman two desks over. Today, I'm spending part of the day in the office since I have a meeting, so I need to remember to keep my emotions more in check. I duck my head and focus on my laptop for all of ten seconds before my phone buzzes again.
Bear:You're smiling. I can feel it.
Me:I'm scowling, actually. It's very intimidating.