Page 37 of A Lucky Shot

No pity here.

Cass climbed into her truck and pulled out her phone to reread Raina’s text.

Don’t hate me but I have to bail

The kids are exploding from both ends and I will spare you the gory details

Won’t miss next time, promise!

Yes, she would. Cass sighed. Time to go home. There was a comedy special she’d been meaning to watch on streaming. Or she could wallow in a dark comedy. Or maybe Pride and Prejudice again. She was about to turn the ignition when a text banner flashed across her phone’s screen.

Her heart jumped into her throat and a breathy huff escaped her lips, and she glanced around as if the text was projected on her truck’s windshield.

After a year and a half of radio silence? Immediate delete. Don’t even bother reading it. You know what will happen.

Cass bit her lip as she opened the note.

hey cass its been a while

Oh, absolutely not. No way. Even if he did make her toes curl and heart race whenever they were together. Or when she thought about him. Like now.

Too late. She’d opened the message, and he’d seen the read receipt. Maybe it was good he had. She could leave him on read. That would show him. He deserved it for ghosting her, and whatever mysterious falling out he’d had with Alex. Jill never gave details, and Cass never pressed her.

And why now? Maybe he wanted to pick things up. She’d sent him a couple texts, but he’d ignored them.

She had promised herself she was done with him. He’d strung her along like a glittery charm on a cheap bracelet for years. That road led to a wild orgasm and a lonely morning after, to showing up to dates with another girl there and not getting what she needed. She moved to flip her phone upside down when it buzzed again.

just got back in town

Be strong. Even if he had been out of town, he couldn’t have sent a note to let her know he was leaving?

But he thought of her first? Cass felt her resolve shiver at the edges.

ive missed you

Something fizzed hot in her stomach. It wasn’t like anyone else wanted her time. She rubbed a hand over her throat and squeezed.

Dammit.

CHAPTER EIGHT

JOSH

Dawson’s massive form curled around the jagged tear in the ship’s hull. Shards of metal pierced his torso, and a shuddering breath hissed out of his lungs as he used his remaining strength to close the airlock, sealing the room and his fate.

He knew the consequences. There was no coming back. Brynne swallowed silent sobs, her hand pressed against the thick glass separating them, but she held his gaze until his eyes fluttered closed for the last time.

Dawson was dead.

Or rather, Donovan Rykoff was dead. Again. He’d been dying all day. And it still wasn’t right.

“Cut!”

His lead actors traded glances as they made their way over to the monitor, followed closely by Cass.

Brynne glared at him over crossed arms. “What was wrong with it this time?”

Nothing, other than the fact that I’ve seen you two show more emotion when catering was late.

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