Page 32 of Hello Tease

When I got home,well past ten since Dad and I had decided to have dinner and drink a couple beers, I glanced out the window at the house across the way. I couldn’t see inside, but I noticed the bedroom window light was on. I wondered what Larkin was doing up so late. Had Jackson woken and needed care? Was she up talking on the phone to her sister in Paris? Texting someone?

The thought of her texting with Bennett nearly made my blood boil.

I went to the bathroom and took a shower, trying to clear my head, trying to see sense and reason. But there was another visceral part of me that hated how I’d missed my chance this early on.

What if this date with Bennett went so well that I never got another opportunity?

What if he moved in with her? Had to see his truck parked out front throughout the night?

Had to see him playing with her children. Making her smile. Putting his hand on her waist.

The thoughts kept spiraling, making me so angry and jealous that I was just as worked up when I got out of the shower as I was when I got in it.

I threw on a pair of boxers and paced my bedroom. I had to do something... but what?

I couldn’t storm over there and knock on her door. I’d wake up the kids if they weren’t already. Not to mention I’d look like a complete fool.

But then I got an idea. I pulled my phone from the top of my dresser. I could send her a text message. Make sure I was the one on her mind tonight. But I stood in my bedroom, thumbs poised over the digital keyboard, completely lost at what to say.

Hi, don’t date Bennett? Date me instead?

I was just thinking about you in the shower?

I rolled my eyes at myself. I was a grown man, but I felt all the jitters of being young and dumb and in love for the first time all over again. I needed to remind myself who I was. I’d faced down criminals knowing men just like me didn’t always finish their shift alive. I could send a text message to a woman. Especially one as kindhearted as Larkin.

Knox: Couldn’t sleep and noticed your light was on. What are you doing up so late?

I stared at my phone as I went to my bed, pulled back the covers, and climbed in. The cream linen sheets were cool against my heated skin.

A bubble with three dots appeared on the screen, and I held my breath, waiting for her reply.

A photo of her with Jackson in her arms, his eyes half closed, came through the phone, and I smiled at the image. Then another text.

Larkin: Little boy doesn’t know you’re supposed to sleep when it’s dark outside.

Larkin: What’s keeping you up?

I can’t stop thinking about you.

I ran my thumb over my bottom lip, knowing I couldn’t tell her that without coming on too strong.

Knox: Was over at my dad’s, guess I’m having a hard time winding down.

I sent the text and waited for her reply. Wondered if she would.

I hadn’t asked her a question, and my fingers itched to fire off another message with one just to feel like I had some connection to her. But then a new message came through.

Larkin: What did you and your dad do together?

Knox: We rode horses to check cattle and then went back to the house. He made me dinner and we had some beers. Just hung out. It was nice.

Larkin: Wait. Did you say horses?

Knox: I mean, technically I typed it.

Larkin: *Eyeroll emoji* Do you think there’s any chance Emily could ride a horse one day? She’s OBSESSED.

Knox: I think I can pull a few strings. ;) So she likes horses and the Dallas Diamonds. What do you like?

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