Page 25 of Josephine and Clay

“Was it?” I murmur.

Her gaze flicks to my mouth for half a second before she catches herself. “Yes.”

I let that sit for a beat. Then I step back, easy, giving her room again. “Alright, simple it is.”

She blinks. She didn’t expect me to let it go that easily.

Clara clears her throat behind the counter, sliding a bag toward me. “Your order, cowboy.”

I grab it, but my eyes stay on Josephine. “You got a number?”

She stills. “That doesn’t sound very simple.”

“Just in case.” I shrug.

She hesitates. I can see it happening in real time, the logic versus impulse. The same push and pull I felt the night we met.

Then she sighs, reaching into her pocket for her phone.

“Fine,” she says. “But this doesn’t mean anything.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it.”

She hands it to me.

I type my number in, send myself a text, then give it back.

Our fingers brush, and sparks fly. Damn, she really is something else.

“Safe travels,” she says, softer now.

I nod once. “Try not to hide from me next time.”

Her eyes flick up. “No promises.”

I grin. “Fair.”

I grab my pastry and head for the door, pushing it open, the bell jingling overhead. I don’t look back, but I feel that she’s still watching me, which means there’s still some fun to be had.

CHAPTER SIX

Josephine

MAY 12TH

By the time I lock up the clinic, my brain feels like it’s been running in tight circles all day.

Charts, appointments, and a nervous gelding that refused to cooperate. Mrs. Sanderson’s cat again. Somewhere between all of that, I’ve checked my phone more times than I’d like to admit.

Which is annoying.

I don’t do that. I don’t wait on messages or build pieces of my day around whether someone texts me back. My life is structured, full in ways that don’t require distractions.

And yet…

I glance at my phone again as I slide it into my jacket pocket.

Still nothing.