“So…” Lena grins. “Are we calling him your man or do we need more data?”
Before I can answer, my phone buzzes again.
All three of us freeze.
Paige whispers, “Part three… I am not emotionally prepared.”
I turn the phone over.
TRACE:
Hope work is going smooth.
Try to eat lunch.
I need you hydrated and fueled for later
The room goes silent, then Paige and Lena both erupt.
Paige points at me like she’s delivering a verdict. “THAT. IS. YOUR. MAN.”
Lena slaps the table. “And he is CLOCKING IN FOR THE DAY SHIFT AND THE NIGHT SHIFT.”
I try, hopelessly, to act unbothered. “We’re just… figuring things out.”
Paige stands up like she needs to stretch. “If y’all get any more ‘figured out,’ we’re gonna need HR forms and a safety waiver.”
I laugh even though I’m fighting a losing battle with my face.
And when I put my phone down this time, I don’t flip it facedown.
Because I already know I want to see the next message.
Paige and Lena finally settle enough to pretend they’re working. I get two numbers into the ledger before my phone buzzes again.
I don’t look up.
If I make eye contact with either of them, I’m done.
I look at the screen.
Trace.
Of course.
I open the message.
TRACE:
You free tonight?
My pulse trips. Before I can answer, another comes through.
TRACE:
Because I want you on the porch with me. Ice cream. Just us.
Paige glances up like a hunting dog. “Delta’s eyebrows just went up. Somebody’s son is applying pressure.”
