Page 24 of Sweet Spot

I froze in shock. “Isaac?”

“There she is. I forgot to ask for your number so I bribed Carla in human resources to give it to me. Told her I had an epiphany that I needed to share immediately and email simply wouldn’t do.”

My silly heart beat a million miles an hour. I thought about giving him my contact information a dozen times, but always stopped myself. Work was work. We would have time to date later. But now? It felt really good to hear his voice. “Yes, well, epiphanies are important to capture while they’re fresh. What is this idea you’ve had come to you?”

“Oh, just that I don’t see any reason why we can’t talk in our free time. Neither of us is on the clock, unless you’re a complete workaholic and I’ve just interrupted your eighteenth hour of the work today.”

Flirty phone conversations at night? Yes, please. “I actually just had dinner with my sister and niece and now I’m in bed getting ready to read.”

“Well that’s nice. How old is your niece?”

“Twelve. And I’m pretty sure we emotionally scarred her for life tonight.”

Isaac chuckled and it sent a shiver through me. “That sounds like fun. I just had dinner with Wes Allen and Seth Butler and I’m pretty sure I’m also emotionally scarred for life.”

“That is a one-two punch. I’m sorry. It was nice knowing you.”

He laughed again. “I can’t let them beat me. I must persevere. It would be a shame to leave this life before I got a chance to kiss you.”

I couldn’t breathe.

“Sorry if that was too much,” he said so softly I almost didn’t hear it.

“It wasn’t too much. I liked it.”

“I like talking to you, Kate. I like looking at you, too. I really like being near you.”

“Same,” I said on a sigh.

“You know I was thinking. I don’t think I’ve flirted in years. I mean, like for more than a night.”

It was my turn to laugh. “I was thinking the very same thing earlier.”

“Huh.”

“Yeah.”

“Well, I don’t mean to keep you from your book.”

I glanced at the paperback, suddenly not interested in reading at all. “I think I’d rather talk to you.”

He sighed, sounding relieved. “It sucks that you had to go back to Tampa.”

“Someone has to get to Eli. Besides, we’re still talking, aren't we?”

“That we are. Do you have any other brothers and sisters?”

I sank into my pillows and pretended Isaac was just in the next room. “Nope. Just Allie and me. You?”

“Just me and Everett. It’s like having a built-in best friend for life.”

That’s how I thought of Allie. “Is Everett seeing anyone?”

“God no. I love my brother but he’s terrible at relationships. He is, however, excellent at parties and one-night stands.”

“And you’re not?” I already knew the answer to that. It wasn’t in his personality.

“I mean, I hope I’m fun at a party. But no, I’m actually terrible at one-night stands. I’m all do you want to stay for dinner? Do you need a ride? Here’s my number in case you need anything.”

---