Sighing, I set my phone on my nightstand and crawl out of bed.
Buzz. Buzz.
I snatch my phone back up.
LEO: Did you play sports growing up?
I blink. What an odd question.
Or maybe not, considering his job.
HARPER: Do I look the least bit athletic to you?
LEO: I mean you do juggle pots and pans and trays for a living. That takes finesse and athleticism.
My lips twitch.
HARPER: I’ll let you know when I get my gold medal in plating.
LEO: I’ll be in the stands cheering you up.
HARPER: Lol.
LEO: I should let you take that bath.
HARPER: Yeah. It’s been sitting for a while. I probably should get in.
There’s a pause, long enough to be awkward…even though we’re not in the same room. Even though there are miles between us.
Even though I could just put the phone down and get in the bath I keep talking about.
LEO: Yeah, it’s getting late. You should go relax.
See? Even he says so.
Buzz. Buzz.
LEO: I really liked the dinner you cooked tonight. Thank you for that…even if things were a mess.
My heart skips a beat.
HARPER: You’re welcome.
LEO: Those fig appetizer things were the shit. I’d give my right arm to have more. Too bad Smitty inhaled them all.
I laugh softly. All the guys had liked him, but Leo’s right.
Smitty had gone to town on them.
Still, something softens in me that he likes my food.
So much so that I send a dumb message in return.
HARPER: I’ll make them again for you some time.
There’s another pause—long enough for me to realize what I’ve said.
Implied.
