Easing my body into the mattress, I finally start to relax a bit when I hear my phone ring on the end table.Shit, I forgot to put it on silent. Ireach over and turn the ringer off, but just before I put it down, I look at the notification that kept me from passing out…
Capture: You have one new follower request.
Chapter Seven
Harper
Thenextweekpassesfaster than I expect. I thought it would drag. Thankfully, work has been busy. I had a few author meetings, which took up a good chunk of my time. I didn’t realise how many books I took on until I sat down and looked at my planner.
Normally I’m organised, and even in the throes of chaos, I thrive. But I am not thriving right now. Trying to figure out who you are single, and working your full time job can make for some complications. I promise myself that I will take some time off after this. I didn’t originally make plans to take time off over the holidays since I always use the Christmas holidays as my catch up time. Christmas is slow in publishing; not many authors want to release a book that close to the holiday.
I’ve decided.
I’m going to take some time off.
I’ll give myself two weeks off for Christmas and New Years Eve. After that, I can focus on getting my groove back and spending time with people I care about.
Confident in my decision, I finish off my work day shooting off an email to my clients informing them of my impromptu vacation. I double checked that there were no deadlines during that time. This may be last minute, but I would never screw anyone over. I have a week to get everything in order for my clients before I take my time off.
With the emails sent out, and a game plan for what I’m going to do for the next week, I decide to celebrate choosing myself. I go out back with Winnie, get the fire started and curl up on the outdoor furniture as I playfetch with him. I pull up my phone and order some take out for supper.Treat yourself, girlfriend.
I sent off my order for my favorite Chinese joint. I haven’t had Chinese food in forever, and I’m already salivating with the thought of wontons. My phone vibrates in my hand, snapping me out of my daydream of all the MSG I’m about to inhale.
Unlocking my phone, I see that I have a Capture notification.
You have one new like.
I open the app to see which picture got attention. I see it was one I recently posted of Winnie, curled up beside me on the couch with my Kindle in my lap. Flipping back to seewholiked my post, I nearly fall out of my seat when I see the username.
X.Hawthorne
Xavier. Chloe’s hot brother.
Hejust likedmyphoto.
I flashback to the day I foolishly let my so-called best friend “borrow” my phone to call her mom. That day she earned a spot on my shit list and when she requested to follow hisprivateCapture account. She said it’s not a big deal, and the worst thing that would happen is he wouldn’t approve it.
Sure. A woman could dream. But then he accepted the request. And not only did he accept it, but he followed me back.
Now?
He’s liking my stuff. I mean it's Winnie, so it’s hardnotto. I understand the appeal of that cute fuzzball. I never looked at his profile after he accepted my request. I couldn’t, although it was tempting.
Tonight though, I give in to the temptation, and I click on his username. His profile pops up but it is nothing like I expected it to be.
It’s full of animals. Farm animals.
Huh, I didnotsee that coming, especially after seeing his sister's extravagant lifestyle on her profile. I didn’t plan on going through his entire profile, I swear, but my fingers couldn’t help themselves. I scroll past a photo of an old tin tub in the yard, filled with water. It’s not far from theground, and splashing inside are two Mallard ducks. I have no idea what kind of duck that is, but it’s adorable. One duck stretches, flapping its wings wide. In the background there are more animals—chickens, goats and—a donkey named Clyde. The little girl in me who always dreamed of a hobby farm squeals at this discovery.
After I finish scrolling as far down as I’m willing without it being creepy, I look at his bio.
He’s a vet.
Just when I thought he couldn’t get any hotter; not only is he an animal lover with his own little farm, but he cares for them too. Be still my beating heart.
The notification that my Chinese has been delivered comes across the top of my phone, so I reluctantly shut my screen off, making my way to the front door.
The rest of the night consists of food and reading, followed by an early bedtime. It is the most normal Friday night I've had in awhile, and I truly need that. My drama meter isfull, so I pray to whoever is listening to let that be the last of it.
