Page 40 of The CEO and the Mountain Man

I assumed it was River with some smart-ass remark.

Beau: Hey. Hope it’s OK that I’m texting you.

I scrolled up to the one other message in our text thread: the picture of River hugging Betty.

Me: How did you get my number?

Beau: From your file.

I tried not to grin like a fucking idiot.

As with so many things in my life, I failed.

Me: Stalker.

Beau: Nah. Just a fan.

Beau:

Me: Yeah, well. I *am* the world’s best father.

Beau: You really kind of are.

Me: Have you been drinking? Or smoking?

Beau: Nope.

Beau: I noticed that River picked up Miguel.

Me: They’re going on a date.

I sent that with a GIF.

Beau: WTF does hubba-hubba mean?

Me: You’re making me feel old.

Beau: You’re only 7 years older than me. That’s not even enough for an age-gap trope.

Me: Age-gap trope?

Beau: Not a romance reader, I see.

Me: No …

Beau: Um. Yeah. Me neither.

Beau: Nope. Not this boy.

Me: Beau?

Beau: Hm?

Me: Do you read romance novels?

Beau: …

Beau: Maybe.