Wrong Text, Right Reply: A Sweet Accidental Romance (An Accidental But Perfect Romance Book 1)

by Bonnie Sweets

  I study my younger brother. Something has happened since the last time I saw him. “What’s going on?”

  David shakes his head and turns back to the current order he’s working on. I move around behind him and steal a peek at the slip. He’s busy making a Brisket Brick and I can get some fries ready while he finishes that.

  Scooping the fries and organizing the plate, I have it in place when David turns to scoop the brisket into the middle of the bowl-shaped taco shells and then smother it with cheese and other toppings that should only be combined for heavenly sensations.

  Like bacon.

  In fact, my answer for everything is bacon. I lean over, grab a couple slices of the perfectly cooked bacon and offer one to David after the customers walk away exclaiming over their meals. “Start talking. What happened.” It’s a not question. I want to know and I’m demanding it. I won’t ask, because then that gives him permission not to answer.

  David sighs and snatches the bacon like I’m forcing him. He bites off a chunk and then shakes his head. “You know how your group of friends gave me the wrong numbers?”

  I nod, because what else am I going to do? Of course, I know. He knows I know. Why lie?

  “Well, the numbers went to their exes. All of them. I have one guy stalking me and saying he’s going to kill me because he believes I’m dating his ex. Another one said he’s going to take me to court, if I try to get custody of his dogs.” David slaps his hand on his thigh. “His dogs, Knox. His dogs. What would I want with a bunch of chihuahuas anyway? And they’re not letting it go. I’ve apologized for bothering them and it’s not getting better. It’s all your fault.” He narrows his eyes at me as if I should know better than to set something like that up.

  I shake my head and lift my eyebrows. “No, it’s not. You continue to play pranks on me. If you can’t take it, then you shouldn’t be dishing it. Right? Wouldn’t you say that’s fair?”

  He finishes the bacon and then folds his arms as he looks away from me. “I don’t know. Yes, it’s fair, but at the same time, I didn’t involve other people when I played pranks on you.”

  “Are you sure? What if I had missed an important text or call? What if I missed something about work? You don’t know you didn’t involve anyone else because you only saw that you were taking the phone and irritating me. That’s it.” I point out the missed facts and then turn from him, grabbing up a clean white cloth and dipping it in the fresh bleach water before wringing it out.

  Wiping down the counter, I try not to blame David for the predicament I’m in myself.

  It's not his fault that I am in a group text full of women who think I’m one of them. It’s not my brother’s fault that I have continued to cultivate the lie and have even started an off-thread friendship with the leader of the group based on her believing that I’m a fellow divorced woman.

  I can’t even force myself to look into the group thread from the last few days because it feels so dishonest. I feel like I’ve been let into a women’s locker room and they think I’m one of them and I don’t want to look even though I could.

  Plus… The things I talked about with Savvy made me feel like I was being even worse than I am. She called me honest.

  That jolted me. I’m still shaken that she’s applying honest to me.

  When I’ve been the opposite. Actually, I’ve been completely honest with her in all other aspects of our lives, except the thread and my phone numbers.

  Maybe if I can get her to fall for me, she’ll forgive me for the small dishonesty. Maybe? I’ve learned so much from the group. I feel like maybe I could make something work with Savvy. Really work.

  Isn’t true love worth anything? Even deception? Would a woman feel the same way?

  I decide to ask the group. If I’m using them for learning opportunities, then I should probably take advantage of the open door.

  David doesn’t say anything as he settles into his seat and waits for the real lunch rush to start. I glance at the clock on the wall with the spatula and knife as the hands. We have about twenty minutes, give or take.

  I look over the items we have prepped for the lunch rush and nod. “Great job on getting things ready. I really think you might be ready to run your own truck.”

  David jerks his head up from his phone, suspicious hope lurking in his eyes. “Are you serious, Knox? You’d trust me to run my own truck?”

  I hold up my hands. “Well, the truck would be under my control. I’d still be the boss, but we could put in a new trailer in the Post Falls location – they’ve been asking me to come that way for a while now. If we did that, you could supervise that truck and hire some help – male help – and manage it on your own. I’ll be around for any assistance you might need, but yeah. I do think you’re ready.” And I’m serious.

  Giving David more responsibility without the access to female staff he can corrupt, might be exactly what he needs to feel better about his role in both my company and in life.

  He nods, pride in the soft smile he’s trying to keep under the wattage of a grin.

  Pulling my phone up, I glance first toward the keto trailer, hoping for a glimpse before we both get busy.

  The day is a little dreary and the cloud cover would be offsetting in the spring, but isn’t when the heat is still present. We’ll get a large influx of customers in no time and they’ll probably order more than normal because there’s nothing else to do besides eat.

  I open my phone and start typing.

  Me: Hey, group. I need to ask some advice. If you were dating a guy and you found out he’d been lying about something, what would you do?

  Dion: Is he gay?

  Alex: Is he married?

  Apple: He has a bunch of girlfriends, doesn’t he?

  Mandie: Wait, I’ve been in this before. This is pretty much my life. What’s he lying about? How did you find out?

  Veve: Lying is… What were the intentions behind it?

  Sara: Does he know you know? You might be able to play it in your favor.

  Savvy: Lying isn’t good. At any level. If he’s lying about something, even small, then who’s to say he won’t lie about something bigger later? Or bigger now?

  I consider their questions. Is it smart of me to delve further into what is going on? Will it give too much information to Savvy and she’ll suspect it’s me? Or that it’s what is going on?

  I type slowly, second guessing my every letter.

  Me: The thing is, I really care for this person. I’m not sure if the lie is a big one, in fact, it’s more a lie by omission – active omission. They’re not married, or dating anyone else. In fact, they say they love me. I could see myself happy with this person. Is it dumb to want to forgive this small indiscretion?

  Dion: Phew. Not gay means he can still like you. That’s a win in my book.

  Apple: We can’t answer that for you, but if you feel like he’s worth it, then point out lying isn’t acceptable?

  Alex: I’m not sure. I can’t tolerate lying at any level.

  Mandie: Same.

  Savvy: I think that’s going to have to be something you figure out. We’re all here to support you and we don’t think you’re dumb, no matter what you do. We might judge you though. Lol.

  I grin at her answer. Always so supportive.

  My phone buzzes as I get another text that isn’t in the thread.

  Switching over to the thread with just Savvy, I take a breath.

  Savvy: You okay? I had no idea you were dating someone. Is he treating you right?

  Me: Yeah, absolutely perfect. I just… I’m not sure this is big enough to end things over.

  Savvy: If you love him and you know he wouldn’t hurt you, then you’ll need to look at the lie. Did it hurt you or anyone? Is it something that YOU can forgive? Because it really comes down to you and what you think. There’s nothing we can say that will make something work for you.

  Me: You’re right.

  Savvy: Is everything else okay? You’ve been pretty
quiet lately.

  Me: Just busy. How are you?

  Savvy: Same, but also confused.

  Me: About what?

  But a line forms outside my window and I can’t text anymore. We’re pushed as we get more and more and more people to the line and we’re handing out Brisket Towers and Leaning Burgers left and right with more fries going out then the entire state of Idaho probably has in potatoes.

  I’m not able to check my phone, but judging by the crowd in front of the keto trailer, Savvy is slammed, two.

  “After work tonight, do you want to go to the gym with me?” David keeps the random conversation rolling as we take orders and fill baskets.

  “You know I hate gyms. I’m not putting my sweaty back where someone else’s sweaty back has been. No thanks.” It’s my normal argument to going to the gym with my brother.

  He treats it like a dating show there. I’d rather not have anything to do with the gym crowd. I have my own workout equipment at home. Plus, maybe I’ll be able to get a text going with Savvy some more – either as me or as KT.

  The fact that I have to decide which side of me she gets leaves me less interested in texting her and more interested in avoiding the issue.

  I turn back to David. “Actually, I’ll go with you to the gym. Sounds good.”

  He hollers his excitement and fills the next order.

  If only I could get that excited myself.

  Chapter 27

  Savvy

  For whatever reason, Abby decided not to complete her day at school. Something about cramps.

  I left her at the trailer with Lila to figure out if the cramps were getting to her or the fact that she’s bored waiting for finals to end.

  Lasagna sounds awesome for the coming Sunday dinner and I stand in front of the cheeses at the local grocery trying to decide how much I need. What else do I need?

  I’ll need tomato sauce, basil, lasagna noodles, zucchini, mushrooms, olives, sausage, oh, and mozzarella cheese, wait… maybe I should do some salad, too, and some French bread.

  Going to all this trouble, I should have someone over.

  And the only person I can think of is Knox. Would he think I’m being too forward? We did say we were dating. There just wasn’t any defining “dating” beyond that first date. We’ve texted a bit here and there, but nothing earth shattering.

  Judging by the number of texts, I’m dating the group of divorced women more than I am Knox.

  Glancing around to make sure I’m not holding up anyone or in anyone else’s way, I pull out my cell and access my text thread with Knox.

  Me: Hey, want to come for dinner on Sunday? I’m making lasagna. Nothing fancy. You can wear sweats, if you want.

  Knox: I think that would be perfect. It’s too hot for sweats. But nice try trying to get my clothes off me. ��

  I grin and shove my phone back in my pocket. He’s coming for dinner. Pressing my lips together I decide that no matter what I won’t ruin this date. I got kind of weird on the last one. This time, I’ll stifle my nerves and just say what I’m thinking.

  I really like him… If I’m being honest, which is hard to do when you’re walking down the canned goods aisle of Super One, I would even go so far as to say I could see him as having a more permanent role in my life.

  And as I turn into the ice cream aisle it hits me. I’m coming to care a lot more for Knox than just liking him.

  Pausing in front of the Rocky Road ice cream, I swallow. My chest rises and falls faster than normal as I have to accept that if I’m starting to have serious feelings for him, I’ve lost control.

  I don’t want to lose control. I don’t want to rely on anyone else. The last time that happened, the last time I put my planners and calendars into a slightly less – actually a hugely minimized – role in my life, he left me and changed all expectations in my life regarding marriage and helping each other.

  The last thing I need is my heart distracted by a man with tattoos and a terrific smile.

  I’m not even going to think about his butt.

  Crap, thought about it. And now I can’t get it out of my head.

  ***

  “Abby, can you grab the checkered tablecloth from the closet? Dexter, I need the Crazy Susan moved from the table, please.” I move around the kitchen, rearranging some of the things I want to put on the table, but can’t until it’s ready.

  A knock at the door makes my heart rate speed up. I glance at the oven clock, more panic creeping in. He isn’t supposed to be at the house until four. Why would anyone show up thirty minutes early?

  Maybe he isn’t who I thought he was.

  Hands fluttering at my sides, I rush to the front door and swing it open, pushing the hair that falls across my forehead back off my face.

  Then I stop and tuck my chin in confusion. “Keith? What are you doing here?” In four months, Keith hasn’t shown up for his weekends with the kids. He hasn’t seen them except at Silverwood with Knox.

  But I also notice his fake tan seems faded and the shirt he’s wearing is a little less flash and a little more reserved. Thank goodness. I didn’t want to tell him he can’t take the kids while wearing a black mesh t-shirt. No one wants to see a middle-aged man with more gut than pecs dressed like that.

  I wouldn’t mind seeing Knox in something that. Maybe he’d humor me sometime and wear one to work.

  “I’m here to take the kids to dinner. Abby texted me and said you have a date tonight and that if I didn’t come get them, I might as well give all rights to you.” He doesn’t meet my gaze, but I can see his eyes are red-rimmed.

  Ignoring what he said about Abby, I settle my weight on one hip, more than aware that I don’t have time for this. “What’s going on? Why do you look like you’ve lost your best friend?”

  Keith takes a long breath and then shakes his head. His gaze pierces me as he looks directly at me. “I have.”

  He shakes his head as I try to puzzle through what that means and he continues. “It’s obvious and has been for a while that I’ve messed all of this up. Everything. I had the perfect family and life and I walked away from it all.” He presses his lips together as he studies me before continuing. “I don’t suppose there’s any chance you’d consider taking me back or trying again.”

  There’s no question in his voice. Nothing to suggest it’s actually my choice. He even continues again as if I have no say in it or as if I answer in the affirmative. “I could come back on the weekends and hang out. Maybe in a month move back in? You could work while I stay home and take care of the kids.”

  But I’m not impressed. Where I might have taken him back six months ago, I’m not that woman anymore.

  I shake my head and try not to smirk. “You want me to work while you take care of our teenage kids? The kids that don’t need you during the day at school? Those kids? And you think you can just come back in and take over?” I chuckle, shaking my head, confident in my decision not to take him up on his offer.

  Is it an offer? I can’t be sure. Stepping back, I yell up the stairs for Abby and Dexter and then put my hand out as he attempts to come in the house. “No, not going to happen. The kids will be down in a minute and then they’ll decide if they want to go with you.” I’m not entirely convinced Abby reached out to him, but then again, Keith knows about my date, so maybe?