I setmy phone on my nightstand and stare at the ceiling. I just had the best conversation I've had with a man in months, and it was with someone whose name I don't even know. Someone wholives in Nevada and rescues wildlife and adopts misunderstood dogs.
Someone who made me feel more connected in a simple text conversation than I've felt with anyone in person in years.
Maya's going to have a field day with this story.
2
MAXIM
Istare at my phone long after the conversation ends, a smile tugging at my lips despite myself. When was the last time I smiled over a text message?
Ranger lifts his massive head from the couch, giving me a look that clearly says I'm disturbing his beauty sleep.
"Don't look at me like that," I tell him, scratching behind his ears. "You're the one who taught me that sometimes the best things come from unexpected encounters."
He huffs and settles back down, tail wagging slightly. Even my antisocial rescue dog approves of my mystery Atlanta stranger.
I should delete her number. That would be smart. I built this life to avoid complications, and a beautiful woman with a sense of humor is definitely a complication.
But instead, I scroll back through our conversation, rereading her messages. She's funny. Quick. Not intimidated by my obvious social awkwardness or the fact that I live in the middle of nowhere.
Well, that's what she thinks I do for a living.
I lean back in my desk chair, looking around my home office. Three monitors display real time data from tech companies, stock portfolios, and encrypted communications from my investment firm. The view shows nothing but mountain peaks and forest.
This cabin is my sanctuary. Where I retreat when the tech world becomes too much. Most people would call it isolation. I call it peace.
But for the first time in three years, my sanctuary feels too quiet.
My phone buzzes with an encrypted message from my assistant.
Elena:The Morrison Industries merger documents need your signature by tomorrow. And TechCrunch is asking for comment on the Spectrum acquisition rumors.
I closethe message without responding. Elena knows better than to expect immediate responses when I'm at the cabin.
Maxim Chen, tech billionaire and founder of Apex Innovations, doesn't exist up here. Here, I'm just Max, a guy who chose mountains over boardrooms and animals over people.
My phone buzzes again, and my pulse quickens thinking it might be her.
Unknown:I know this is random, but I can't stop thinking about the bear dog story. Please tell me there are more rescue animal tales.
My heart doessomething ridiculous at seeing her message.
Me: Ranger isn't my only rescue. There's also Ghost, a wolf hybrid who was abandoned as a pup.
Unknown:You have a pet wolf?
Me: Ghost prefers the term "roommate." He's very particular about his household status.
Unknown:How does Ranger feel about sharing space with a wolf?
Me: They have an understanding. Ranger gets the couch, Ghost gets the entire back deck. I get whatever space they decide I can have.
Unknown:Sounds like you're definitely not the alpha in that pack.
Me: I learned early that arguing with a wolf hybrid about territory rights is a losing proposition.
Unknown:Smart man. What's Ghost's story?
