Page 32 of Ice, Love, & Other Penalties

That’s good, right? Should I have added tomorrow? Does it sound dumb?

“It’s a text, not the next American novel, idiot,” I mutter under my breath.

I set down the phone, content to wait however long it takes for her reply. Maybe she’ll just ignore me, and I’ll see her tomorrow or . . . Wednesday? I hope that I get a glimpse of her before that. A brief exchange where I can see her, hear her voice and obviously lust after her. Because it seems like it’s the only thing I do when she’s around.

Indie: Why don’t I plan on picking her up? Just in case the flight gets delayed, or my brother thinks there has to be a meeting.

Ty: I’m pretty sure that won’t happen. Jude hates meetings. But why don’t I text you if I don’t make it on time?

Indie: Sounds like a plan.

I should leave it at that, but I, of course, don’t know how to leave enough alone.

Ty: How’s everything going? Did she have a good day at school?

Indie: Yep, and we did some homework before and after dinner.

I raise my eyebrows in surprise.

Ty: Kindergarteners have homework now?

Indie: Not usually, but the teacher wants her to work on her fine motor skills.

Ty: And what exactly do you have to do?

Indie: I brought a few games and things with me. We played Operation. Tomorrow, we’ll be sorting Mom’s bucket of buttons and on Friday, we’ll probably bake cookies.

Ty: And eating cookies helps somehow? (Glances skeptically)

Indie: Yeah, you can work on her fine motor skills while decorating them.

Ty: I’m not sure if that’s educational but it definitely sounds delicious.

Indie: And it is pretty rewarding if you like sugar.

This small talk feels strained, yet I don’t want to let her go just yet. It’s difficult to steer the conversation beyond Myra. I want to ask more about her. What did she study? Why is she working for the Seattle Sasquatches or . . . I just want to learn everything about her. Is that crossing a line? Probably. So, I stick to our safe topic. My child.

Ty: But overall, she had a good day?

Indie: Yep. She’s bummed though. Dave didn’t want to come out from under my bed.

Ty: She’s been wanting to hold him since the first time he visited the house.

Indie: And she will, once he’s comfortable with this place—and her. She’ll have to wait until he comes to her.

Ty: This is a good way to teach her patience, I guess.

Indie: It’s a good lesson indeed. Especially in a world of instant gratification.

Ty: So you like to be rewarded right away too? You behave like a good girl?

I freeze as soon as I hit send, eyes wide. Did I really just flirt via text? And I swallow hard when I read her response.

Indie: It all depends. Sometimes being on the edge of desire is better than just getting IT right away. Though, I’m not always a good girl—bad girls get rewarded too.

My mouth goes dry. Is she implying what I think? I should leave it alone, but some reckless part of me wants to nudge just a little further . . . see if she takes the bait. Sexting today. Tomorrow . . . No, I need to stop that thought. This is crossing a major line. I sigh with relief when I receive another text from her.

Indie: We got off track. But to answer your question about waiting for rewards, I can tell you that my parents taught me patience. When I was growing up, I always wanted a cat, but I didn’t get one until my tenth birthday. She’s a beautiful Russian Blue named Kiki.

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