Page 50 of Simply Yours

See you in a few days.

Sounds good.

Ten

CAITLIN

Caitlin stretched her legs out on the couch, the soft glow of the lamp casting golden light over the worn pages of her book. She had been lost in the story, fully immersed in another world—until the sharp vibration of her phone on the cushion beside her pulled her back to reality. She blinked, slightly dazed, before reaching for it.

Whatcha doin?

A smirk curled her lips as she read Jason’s message. Of course. He always had the impeccable timing of a man who knew exactly when to interrupt. Not that she minded. With an amused shake of her head, she flipped her book over, letting gravity hold her place, and tapped out a reply.

I’m reading. What are you doing?

A pause. Then, the little dots danced on the screen before his response popped up.

Having a few beers with Matthew and Lookie.

She chuckled.

Luke?

That’s what I said – little Lookie.

A small laugh escaped her, and she bit her lip, already able to ‘hear’ the slight slur in his voice just from his texting. Oh, this was going to be fun.

Are you drunk?

A beat. Then?—

Maybe… Are you drunk?

She rolled her eyes, exhaling through her nose as she leaned back against the armrest.

No. I’m having hot tea and reading a book (see above).

A moment of silence. Then his next text popped up, making her brow lift.

Are you wearing something sexy?

Her pulse skipped, warmth creeping into her chest before she scoffed and typed back.

Do you want me to answer that?

No – lemme live in my head.

She shook her head, biting her lip to keep from smiling.

You should probably quit picturing me.

There was a beat. Then?—

Probably.

She laughed softly, shifting on the couch, her heart knocking against her ribs for reasons she didn’t want to examine too closely. This was a new side to Jason that she hadn’t been privy to before. Teasing. Playing. Except... it was being shared with her. He was sharing this moment with her whereas it was completely different in the past.

Matthew would simply say – ‘Yesterday was tough, so we broke out the beer and had a cold one as a family.’. She understood his loss and sometimes it was the small things that hit you between the eyes. A look, a smell, a habit or a memory… and he was surrounded by them at home, at work. There was no escape for Jason or any of the Baird family.

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