It’s been years since I’ve soaked in a tub in an empty house and, if it weren’t for the stench, this would be a gloriously peaceful and relaxing experience.
I tip my head back, eyes closed, more relaxed than I can remember being since before Harper was born.
And in the silence, my mind wanders to HandsyGuy37. He’s probably at work. Maybe in an office. Or behind a counter in a coffee shop. Maybe he’s a professor at the university. Maybe he’ll be my professor.
It irritates me, like a burr under my skin, that I can’t picture him right now. I don’t want him to share so many details I figure out who he is, but a vague impression would be nice.
Reaching over the edge of the tub, I grab my cell from the floor where I set it next to my bra. As a mother, I always keep that phone on or near me. Just in case.
DogPerson158:Thanks for the advice. It worked so well, I might have even made a new friend. I at least made a connection, and I think that maybe I’ve been kind of a snob.
He doesn’t answer right away, and I start to worry I’ve given the wrong impression.
DogPerson158:I’m not a snob. It’s just that I want to get in and get the job done, to help who needs helping, and I’m sometimes dismissive of people who are getting in the way of that.
HandsyGuy37:It happens to the best of us. I’m glad my advice helped.
His tone feels hurried. He’s probably at work and doesn’t want to be bothered.
But then my phone pings with another message.
HandsyGuy37:But it wouldn’t have worked if you didn’t have that kindness in you already. You should thank yourself for pausing and noticing something that developed that connection.
My smile is so big it feels painful. DogPerson158:Where do you work? Don’t give me too many personal details. I just want to picture your current environment. Vaguely. Keep it vague.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Deacon
Excitement fizzes through me like I just stuck my finger in an open socket. She wants to know more about me. Her wall’s still up, but it’s starting to crumble. She’s thinking about me and wants to picture me.
“What are you smiling about?” Cash asks as he passes me with his design folder. He glances at my phone in my hand. “You’re messaging her again?”
I flip my phone over. “Just happy with the cut of this baseboard.”
He rolls his eyes. “You’re crushing on your brother’s girl. Not cool, man.”
He walks off before I can lie. Of course I’m going to crush on her. She’s a great woman. But she’s still a woman I’ve never met, and she’d be absolutely perfect for Sebastian.
A little crush is fine, as long as I don’t let it go beyond that.
And now I have to tell her something about my environment without giving her enough details to figure out Sebastian’s job. Tough to do when I’m sitting on a living room floor surrounded by tools and wood.
HandsyGuy37:I’m in a lovely space and I’m working with my hands. Not much more I can tell you without giving away too many details.
DogPerson158:That doesn’t give me much to work with. You already told me you work with your hands.
I smile. She wants to know more about me.
My smile fades just as quickly. She wants to know more about Sebastian.
Because she’s destined for Sebastian. This is for my brother.
Chances are good I’ll meet her and not be remotely attracted to her, but I’m liking this way too much for comfort. It feels like I’m cheating with my brother’s woman.
HandsyGuy37:You’re the one who said no personal details. Are you suggesting we break that rule?
DogPerson158:I work with animals. That’s as personal as I’m willing to go, but it’s more than I work in a room and that work involves my hands.
