Page 15 of Emergency Exit
“No, um... Let me just... I’ll pack up my computer and come over.” Ash could hear the sigh of relief from Forest even across the phone.
“Thanks, Ash. I really appreciate it.”
Ash dashed into the bedroom to change clothes and shoved his hair into a bun, hoping Forest wouldn’t notice how sweaty it was.
At Forest’s house, Ash returned to working on his dossier for Harper, but once he was done, he couldn’t wait and sent it to her immediately. It wasn’t until he was raiding Forest’s fridge that Ash wondered what kind of nanny needed to be picked up after nine on a weeknight. It seemed peculiar.
I didn’t make a dossier.
Harper’s text made him feel instantly guilty. He should have scheduled the email to go out in the morning. Normal people didn’t email after hours.
That’s OK! I just thought it might help.
He waited nervously for her response.
You have listed more than one color as your favorite.
Ash made a face at his phone. That was weird. And now she was going to thinkhewas weird.
I couldn’t decide, and I like all the colors.
ME TOO!
Ash grinned at her all-caps response.
Your car is a hybrid? Is that important? Will people be asking me about your car? I don’t know about cars. I will not be able to answer questions correctly.
Ash hung his head in shame. He’d only put that in because he wanted her to think he was cool.
Probably not.
I sold my car when I moved here, so I don’t drive anything. I used to drive a Honda, though.
Ash began to laugh. This was ridiculous. Harper wasn’t into any of the status games that Emma had been. He shouldn’t have tried. Another text pinged through.
I also like spicy chocolate! Do you hate wet flour tortillas?
Ash had never been asked that before, but once he considered the question, he thought they would probably be disgusting.
I do now. Thanks for putting that in my head.
It’s the texture. That’s why I don’t like my tacos with too much sauce. I also don’t like cotton balls.
It was rare that someone could out-topic jump him, but he hadn’t seen that one coming.
I don’t recommend eating them then.
I meant I don’t like touching them.
Ash considered that.
They are to fingers what cotton candy is to your mouth.
There was a brief silence, and Ash hoped he hadn’t offended her. Although, if he had, he wasn’t sure how.
No one has ever gotten that before.
She included a shocked face, and Ash grinned.
