Page 77 of Just Act Natural

Grant: Did you know the bike shop owner is trying to expand some of the biking trails? Might be something there you can use in your presentation

Lila: Really? I’ll talk to Shepherd this week

Hmm. Probably shouldn’t have told my princess to visit the tattoooed, bearded guy.

Lila: You’ve ruined my sleep lately, you know that?

Maybe we’re more in sync than I thought. My sleep’s been absolutely wrecked by dreams about her. Aboutus. I never thought I had that great of an imagination before, but it’s been working overtime lately.

Grant: I could say the same about you

Lila: ???

Lila: I keep thinking about where we left off in your book

I have to read that three times before my brain catches up. Right. She’s not talking aboutthosekinds of dreams.

Lila: What did you mean?

Grant: That’s what I meant, too. Gotta know what happens next in the book. It’s an addictive story

Well, this has been fun. I sound like an idiot. I guess she thinks so, too, because it takes a while for her response to come through.

Lila: Or maybe I just like the sound of your voice

Ooh la la.I hit the call button before I overthink it.

She answers on a laugh. “Did you want to talk about theaddictive story?”

“Not really,” I admit. “I wanted to hear your voice, too.”

“What did you mean when you said you could say the same about me ruining your sleep?”

“I think you already know.”

Her breath comes out on a soft sigh. “Yeah. I think I do.”

We breathein tandemfor a minute, because apparently that’s what happens after two people admit they miss hearing each other talk—they have no idea what to say.

“What would help you sleep?”

“Not hearing more of your book,” she says. “Everyone has funny names, and they drop you straight into the story like you know what’s going on. It’s confusing nonsense. I mean, what even happens after the main character got kidnapped by those thieves? Hmm? What?”

“You want me to keep reading?”

“Yes, please.”

In a flash, I get up and grab my e-reader from the couch and cozy up on the bed again. It’d be better if she were here listening in person, but if I think too much about that, I won’t be able to focus on the book.

Not that that’s much of a concern. I read to her for an hour, but I couldn’t tell you what happens in the scenes. My voice is a soft caress, as though I’m telling her something else entirely in every word.

I missed you today.

I would read to you every night if you asked me.

It’s way too soon to fall for you, but I don’t want this to stop.

She yawns as though she’s ready to cuddle into her pillow. “Thank you, Grant.”

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