She told herself she didn’tyearnfor him. Didn’tneedhim. That way lies danger and heartbreak. But oh, her stomach fluttered traitorously when she imagined his crooked grin, the raspy warmth of his voice, or the way his eyes crinkled when he teased her.
Her fingers began typing almost without permission.
Hey – guess what – I filled up my car this morning and it holds about fifteen gallons.
She pressed send before her brain could interfere.
A beat passed. Nettie’s heart stopped. She reread the message and nearly groaned aloud.
“Oh no…” she whispered, pressing her face into her knees. That was the dumbest text in the history of dumb texts. Casual, yes. Standoffish, maybe. But flirty? Witty? Not even close. It sounded like something her grandpa might brag about after a trip to the gas station.
Her thumb darted to the screen, frantic, trying to delete it. Instead, she hit the little heart by mistake. Sheheartedher own text. Not one notification, but two. Her eyes squeezed shut in mortification.
Perfect.
Justperfect.
She unhearted it quickly, then tried again to erase it—but the little bubble suddenly shifted. Three dots appeared.
“Greaaaat,” she muttered under her breath. “So much for hiding my idiotic comment.”
His reply came almost instantly.
Hey – I’m glad you like it. I filled up too on the way to the arena.
A wink emoji.
Nettie smothered a laugh into her sleeve. Tate winked at her with an adorable emoji. He was impossible.
You know, I’m not dumb.
Never said that.
I’m just trying to figure out how to say hello…
Did you like them?
Her fingers froze.
Like what?
Her brows furrowed.
Never mind…
Before she could respond, movement caught her eye. Her boss appeared in the hall, walking past the classroom door. Nettie blinked, then blinked again.
Her boss was holding thebiggest bouquet of flowers she had ever seen,a staggering explosion of soft pink roses with greenery spilling like a waterfall. A glossy balloon bobbed behind it, tied to a curling ribbon.
Nettie’s jaw dropped.
“Nuh-uhhhh…” she breathed. She scrambled to her feet, phone clutched in one hand, heart pounding.
Her boss spotted her through the narrow window in the door, grinning, and pointed toward the office down the hall.
For a moment, Nettie couldn’t move. Her feet were glued to the floor, her thoughts a whirlwind. Surely not. Surely Tate hadn’t…
Tiptoeing carefully so as not to wake her napping horde, Nettie slipped out the door and padded after her boss,whispering, “Shhh,” to herself like she could keep the whole world quiet.
