Page 46 of One Small Spark

Not going to think about her little car trying to navigate these roads in the winter. Not thinking about her sliding off the road and into a ditch. Nope. “Krause. Don’t argue. I’m asking for a simple text.”

Her wry smile appears, as if she’s discovered a treasure trove of leverage. “Are you aworrier, Callahan?”

She says the word like it’s a bright red label she’s slapped on my chest. She’s not wrong, but we’re not getting into this right now. I would love to verbally spar with her some more, but my anxiety’s cranking up and making it hard for me to think.

I level her with a hard look. “Just text me, please.”

She relaxes, but her smile widens like I just handed her a secret. I suppose I did. Of all the things I’ve revealed tonight, this is the one she wants to spend her energy on?

“Okay. Sheesh. I will text you when I get home.” She pulls open the front door. “If you wanted a goodnight text so badly, all you had to do was say so.”

With that, she walks out, snapping the door shut behind her. I watch out the window until her taillights disappear down the drive.

Refusing to pace, I sit on the couch, my phone on the cushion beside me. If I thought I was lost before, having her here in my space has sealed my fate. I hope the stormy petrichor of her perfume lingers for days.

Fifteen minutes of heroically keeping my stray thoughts in line later, my phonefinally buzzes.

Wren: I made it!

Shepherd: Glad to hear it

Wren: That road is kind of spooky in the dark

Shepherd: Not helping

Wren: But I’m fine!

Wren: Even tucked myself safely into bed already

That’s not helping, either.

Wren: Thanks for inviting me tonight

Shepherd: Thanks for staying

Wren: Goodnight, Callahan

Shepherd: Goodnight, Krause