Page 59 of Beyond Question

My mouth falls open as I stare at the screen, completely dumbfounded. We’ve discussed a million things this week, and we’ve certainly gotten to know one another better, but this seems a bit much for one week into this… whatever it is.

The dots pop up, then another text comes through.

Travis Wilder:

I wish I could see your face right now. It was a joke, Paige.

Unless…

Unless you want to tell me.

…

No, I’m really kidding.

Tell me what you’re READING.

Laughing, I shake my head and send one final text.

Paige Matthews:

Hush. Let me work.

The man knows damn well I work while I eat. And I certainly can’t work if I’m texting him. I shove the phone into my desk drawer and take a bite of my curry, grinning around the spoon in spite of myself. God, what has he done to me? I haven’t smiled this much in years.

The phone beeps again and I growl in playful annoyance, then yank the drawer open and pull out the phone.

Travis Wilder:

I was forced to attend a conference today, if you must know.

Really exciting stuff.

…

I’d rather be watching you read a manuscript you enjoy.

…

And I miss you too.

I bite down on my bottom lip to keep my smile from splitting my face clean in half as the dots pop up, indicating he’s not finished texting yet.

Travis Wilder:

You know you do this cute little nose wrinkle thing when you fix your glasses. I kinda love it.

Goddammit, why does this man make me smile like a schoolgirl? Butterflies resume a fluttery rendition of Riverdance in my belly, but I shake my head and place the phone onto my desk.

Another text comes through and before I think to check who it’s from, I roll my eyes and pick up the phone, opening the darkened screen, assuming it’s Travis, even though a quick glance would have confirmed that this text is from an unknown caller.

It takes all of a split second for my heart to plummet to the floor.

This isn’t just an unknown call. There are too many numbers to be a call within the US.

This text has come from across the pond.

Ice splashes through my veins. My hands tremble. I squeeze the phone tighter so I don’t drop it.