Page 43 of His Build

“Hiding?”Chris said.

“She had to go back home for a few days—she didn’t really elaborate. But I have the feeling things got too heavy too fast.”

Chris leaned over, resting his elbows on his knees. “Have you called her?”

“I was trying to give her space.”

“You mean you were playing it cool?”

“Huh? No. Is that a thing?”

“Well, maybe she thinks that’s what you’re doing,” Chris said.

Out on the lake, a goose landed near the middle in a flapping display of wings and water.

“Shit,” Graydon said. “This is why I don’t date.”

There was a pause, then Chris said, “Is that really why?”

The question was like a pinprick to his chest. “Of course that’s why,” he said, too quickly. “Things get complicated.”

Chris shrugged. “Just call her. If it’s not serious, she shouldn’t be scared off, right?”

It wasn’t serious. So why did he hate hearing that? But Chris was right. There was nothing stopping him from at least seeing her. Making the most of this unserious situation.

* * *

That night,Graydon took a moment to stretch as he stepped out of his truck at his cabin. His muscles ached from hauling siding material around—Grayscale was taking care of the exterior themselves next week. He was mulling over what Chris had said, and how he might reach out to Lucy without sounding awkward or making a big deal out of things. As he pulled his arm across his chest, stretching out his triceps, Graydon’s eyes scanned the familiar field, forest, and lake where his cabin sat. Then they flicked back once more at the barn across the field next to his cabin—a remnant from the original homestead. It was in good shape but woefully underused. He stored job materials in it mostly, but right now it was completely empty save for the rusty remnants of horse tack hanging from the walls.

Suddenly, he knew what to do. Graydon pulled out his phone and opened a new message to Lucy.

Graydon:Hey Lucy. Haven’t seen you around the site so sending you this now in case you’re trying to find storage for the furniture you liked. I have a giant barn on my property you could use, no charge. It’s dry and it could hold three houses’ worth of MCM if necessary. Let me know.

He hesitated before hitting send. Then he hit it and went inside, forcing himself to leave his phone on the table in the hallway so he wouldn’t check it obsessively. After he’d fried up a steak and potatoes for one and cracked a bottle of lager, he went and grabbed his phone before sitting down to eat.

Graydon took a bite of steak, then turned on his phone. His stomach jumped when he saw he’d missed three texts.

Lucy:Okay, I *am* having trouble finding a storage locker close enough, and big enough, to take all that stuff on short notice. And if I wait any longer, some of those awesome pieces will definitely be gone. So yeah, I should take you up on it.

There had been a ten-minute gap between that and the next text:

Lucy:Could I come by and take a look tomorrow afternoon? I’m back in town. It’d be good to see the space first.

The third text was from his sister:

Casey:Hey—this is not an emergency alpaca text, promise. I want you to come to dinner tomorrow night. No more excuses. We haven’t seen each other in weeks.

Graydon put the phone down and took a swig of beer. Then he broke out in a grin. He tapped his phone until the lights strung around his deck lit up and the strain of an old Van Morrison song rang out from the outdoor speakers. He felt the need to celebrate. After another swig of liquid courage, he punched in a reply to Lucy.

Graydon:Sure—tomorrow works. How would you feel about taking the scenic route?

* * *

It wasabout a half hour from his place to the Lakeside Motor Innby canoe, and Graydon’s temples had a light sheen of sweat on them by the time the Motel’s dock came into view. He didn’t realize until he saw Lucy sitting at the end of the dock that he’d been worried she might not show up. But his muscles relaxed as he took her in, leaning back with her arms behind her on the wood, eyes closed to the afternoon sun.

Graydon’s whole body came alive at the sight of her, like he was run through with electricity.

She opened her eyes at the sound of water dripping from his paddle. Then she smiled, sending a live charge straight down his spine.

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