Page 19 of Can't Text This

His shoulders slump. It’s not the answer he was looking for.

“Perhaps another time?” The words leave my mouth before I can stop them, and I want to slap myself silly. All I’m doing is giving Brandon hope, and I shouldn’t be doing that, not when there’s no chance of anything between us.

“I’ll hold you to it.”

Oh crud.

I reach for my purse and slide it around my shoulder, trying to get out of here without making more promises I don’t intend to keep.

“I’m heading out now. It was great seeing you.” I move toward the door and he stumbles to race me there, holding it open just as I expected he would.

“You too, Miss Andrews. I’ll see you next week at the luncheon?”

I nod and brush past him, exiting the classroom.

“Of course.”

I don’t look back as I power walk down the hall toward the exit, not giving him a chance to say anything else. I wave to the receptionist then push my way out of the building.

I toss my purse into the car, set my phone in the center console, and insert the key into the ignition.

A loud scream escapes me when my phone violently vibrates against the cup holder.

Python:Did I lose you?

Me:No.

Python:I was worried I scared you off.

Me:You didn’t. I was trying to blow off a coworker.

Python:Um. Okay then…

Me:What?

Me:Oh! Oh goodness! No! Not THAT kind of blowing off. Holy cats & dogs!

Python:I’m laughing so fucking hard right now.

Python:Not just because of your blunder but because I don’t think you ever cuss, do you?

Me:No. It doesn’t suit me.

Python:Yeah. You didn’t look like a cusser.

Python:I’m sorry if my potty mouth offends you.

Me:It doesn’t. It’s sort of…hot.

Python:Yeah? Good. Because I wasn’t going to suddenly stop cussing. It suits me just fucking fine.

Me:Shouldn’t you be working?

Python:Shouldn’t YOU be working?

Me:I’m finished for the day.

Python:Already? How?

---