I tensed up and started scanning the room, eyes darting to every corner.
Another message popped in: "Kidding. Just a guess."
I stared at those words, and my heartbeat tripped over itself. This man could joke? And why was he joking with me?
"Mr. Fox, you're up in the middle of the night just to guess whether I'm asleep or not?"
This time, the wait stretched on. Long enough that I was sure he wouldn't reply.
"Mm."
One syllable. But it carried more weight than everything he'd said before, like a small stone dropping into still water somewhere inside my chest.
Twelve years of single-minded work, of taking care of my ex-husband and his family, and I'd forgotten what it felt like to be on someone's mind.
Turns out, that feeling could be captured in a single word.
But why me? Why him? If he knew I was Cindy's friend, would he still treat me this way?
I couldn't figure it out. I buried my face in the pillow and told myself: Thelma, stop overthinking. He's just worried you'll bolt and hurt his bottom line.
But my pulse wouldn't settle.
I got up to turn off the light. Outside the window, a pair of headlights flashed once.
I didn't go look. But I knew that car had been parked there for a long time.