Page 59 of An Unfinished Memory

We finished the wipe down before Tova waddled back into the room. “You guys are the best. My back is killing me, and my bladder is tired of being a trampoline.”

We walked out with Tova. Crocus Valley was safe, but neither I nor Vienne let Tova lock up alone. When Tova drove off, I walked Vienne home. The wind blowing through town was still warm this time of year, and the sun sank lower in the sky.

Once Vienne disappeared into her house, I got into my pickup and drove home. In the garage, I scrolled through my phone. I needed a shower and a good night’s sleep. A morning of spays and neuters waited for me, along with a new admin person to train in.

I continued killing time on my phone. Was tonight when I admitted I had a hard time being in the house by myself when I knew what it was like when Wilder was there?

We hadn’t talked or messaged since that night. He held me and blew out of town before dawn.

How had his week been?

I tsked. We had talked more than I cared to admit when he’d been sneaking into my house.

I shut off my brain and texted him.Thank you. For the other night.I hit send.

My message made it sound like he’d been here a couple days ago. I huffed out a breath and got out, hoping to leave my embarrassment inside.

By the time I got in the house, I had a message waiting.

Wilder: Anytime.

Wilder: Shit.

Wilder: You know what I mean.

I pressed my fingers into my cheeks. I was grinning.

Continuing to text him would be a bad idea, but I did it anyway.

Sutton: What are we going to do with ourselves?

Wilder: Have sex and not worry about it?

Didn’tI wish?

Sutton: We tried.

Wilder: Have sex, not worry about it, and don’t go on double dates?

Wilder: To clarify—no dates.

I giggled.

Sutton: I’ll be hiking with Oreo next weekend, so no dates planned, double or otherwise.

Still smiling, I went into the bedroom and undressed. I carried the phone into the bathroom, knowing damn well I should leave our conversation where it was.

Wilder: Practice camping trip is still on?

Sutton: Yes. Are you working?

Was he off? And still alone even though I’d ended things? More likely he was on call. He never spent this much time texting. But he did it for me. My body warmed, and it wasn’t from the water.

Wilder: McCormicks’ truck got stolen again.

Poor Wilder. It was hard for him to deal with Guy.

Sutton: That sucks. I’m sorry.

---