Page 115 of Meet Me in the Valley
Unknown Caller …
A California number flashes across my screen, yanking my focus from the design meeting I’ve been stuck in for the last thirty minutes for the Mueller project.
“If we want the interiors to mirror the sustainability goals we’ve set for the site, then the materials have to reflect that,” Krista says, voice steady but dry. Her eyes flick to my buzzing phone on the table. “FSC-certified wood, recycled composites—nothing that feels performative just for the brochure—Logan?”
The buzzing stops.
I look up to find every eye on me. Krista’s raised brow has sharpened into a glare.
The phone buzzes again. Same unknown number. Krista lets out a harsh sigh and rolls her eyes.
Things between us since that night have been tense. Also, a little awkward. Her advances have ceased to exist—which I’m grateful for. But we’ve both put all things uncomfortable aside for the sake of professionalism. The facts are Krista is good at what she does, and so am I. I can breathe easier around the office knowing that whatever happened between us is in the past, and everyone can move on.
“If you’re not going to take the call, can you at least silence it? Roy wants the material board finalized before five.”
“I know. Sorry. You can keep going.” I fumble to switch my phone to Do Not Disturb as the same number flashes across the screen for the third time.
A chill runs down my spine. I don’t let it show, but my thoughts immediately spiral.
My dad. Tia. Something’s not right.
I lift a hand to Krista in quiet apology and nod toward my phone. She doesn’t say a word, just continues the meeting as I calmly push back from the table and step out of the room.
Jaw tight and breath steady, I try to brace for whatever’s waiting on the other end.
“Hello?”
A pause. Then a shaky breath filters through the line.
“Hey, baby.”
Her voice slices through me. My stomach knots instantly, and a cold sweat beads at my hairline. My shirt clings to my skin like it knows something’s coming.
Panic barrels in without warning. This isn’t how I pictured it. Not like this. No amount of pep talks or mental rehearsals could’ve braced me for the real thing.
But if there’s a lesson in all of this, it’s surrender.
Sometimes life throws it in your lap with no script, no warning—just a silver platter and a choice.
So I make mine.
“Hi,” I say, breathless, like I’ve just sprinted through a wall. “How’d you get my number?”
Another pause, then a swallow. Her voice is quieter this time. Fragile. A world away from the woman I went to war with in Las Vegas.
“Your father.”
Of course. He’s never stopped loving her, no matter how many reasons she gave him to. But I don’t hold it against him. I know his heart. And if she reached out to him to reach me, maybe that says something.
Maybe she’s hurting too.
“Listen, Logan. I’m in Austin.”
I jolt upright in my chair, launching my clicky pen across the desk where it clatters to the floor.
I glance around the office—no one seems to notice. Through the glass wall, I see Krista and the rest of my team still deep in the meeting I should be in. But right now, none of that exists.
“Oh. How long are you in town?”
