Page 25 of More Than Falling in Love

I take my time in the shower, scrubbing off the dirt and stink.Once I feel human again, I pull on sweatpants and pick up the book we’ve been reading this week.Mason is a pretty strong reader, and Ivy gave me a list of books he might enjoy.

Reading time has become one of my favorite parts of the day.

He’s looking at the phone and flips it around as I walk into the living room.“Say hi, Dad.”

Poppy’s smiling face fills the screen, and she mouths, “Sorry.”

“Hey.How was your day?”I ask.

“Long and tiring.”She knots her hair on top of her head and holds it there with a clip.“What about you?”

Mason shoves the phone into my hand.“Y’all talk.I’m going to take my shower.”He points at me before closing the door.“Don’t hang up.I’ll be right back.”

“Don’t skip the soap.”I use my dad voice to ensure he doesn’t step out of that shower just as stinky as he went in.

“I won’t.”

“Sorry he bothered you.He was playing games on my phone while I was getting cleaned up.”

“He’s not a bother.He was telling me about his birthday and how he’s big now because he’s six.Also, it’s nice having someone ask about my day.”She picks up a white take-out container.“I’m going to be rude and eat while we chat because I skipped breakfast and lunch.Unless coffee counts.”

“It doesn’t.Everything okay?”

She rolls her head from side to side.“Yeah.There are some big things happening at work, but I can’t elaborate right now.My roommate is moving out in a few weeks, so this place is a disaster.How’s life on the ranch?”She lifts noodles to her mouth with a pair of chopsticks.

“About the same.You were on my mind today, Flutter.”I haven’t spoken to her since she left, and I’m using her nickname to remind me of the friend zone.“Out in the pasture, I found a chrysalis, just one, on a fence.”

She covers her mouth as she answers.“Not fluttering yet?”

“Not yet.”

“You know, I never did chat with you about getting a pop-up net and chrysalides for Mason.It could be a belated birthday gift.Would you mind if I bought that for him?I’m thinking of heading that way in about a month.But don’t say anything yet because I haven’t talked to my dad.”

Trying to angle the phone so it’s less obvious I’m not wearing a shirt, I run a finger along my lips, letting her know I’ll keep her secret.“Totally fine.He’d love that.I know he would.”

“If this is awkward, I can hang up.”She pulls the clip out of her hair, then knots it up again.“Clearly you weren’t expecting me to be on the phone.”

“Not on video.That’s for sure.”I grin so she knows I’m not agitated.“It’s not a problem.But from now on, I’ll make sure I’m wearing a shirt when I come out after a shower.”

Her cheeks color ever so slightly.“You don’t have to go to all that trouble on my account.”

I blink, caught off guard.

The bathroom door flies open, and Mason flings his still-damp pajama-clad self onto the sofa.“Poppy, do you want to read with us?”

“Read with you?”

Mason takes the phone back.“I read to Dad every night.”

“What book are you reading?”

“Nate the Great and the Monster Mess.We’re on the last few pages.And tomorrow I start readingNate the Great and the Missing Key.”He holds up the book he’s about to finish.“Do you want to listen?”

“I sure do.”She props up the phone and goes back to her takeout.“I’ll eat and listen.”

For the next little while, I’m forced to keep my eyes on the book, scanning each word as Mason reads.I steal a few glances at the phone screen, and each time, I’m treated to a warm smile that kicks off flutters in my chest.Silly as it is, her nickname is appropriate.

I’m happy that we’ve talked about things.It makes tonight enjoyable rather than stressful.

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