Page 27 of Spicy Ever After

---

COUNT MY MACROS

Her emojis have me busting a gut. Job description or not, she’s funny. My smile slips, and a sweet ache tugs in my chest.

I want to see her again.

Hattie: WORK I WANT TO DO:

CUT OUT PATTERNS

CUT OUT FABRIC

THREAD MY SINGER

THREAD MY BOBBIN

SEW CLOTHING

GO TO MICHAEL’S

GO TO ALLBRANDS

PICK SWATCHES

BROWSE THE AURIFIL WEBSITE

When was the last time I smiled like this? I honestly can’t remember.

Me: Now your email address makes perfect sense.

Hattie: BOBBIN IS MY FAVORITE WORD!!!

The crack of my laughter is so loud, I’m hoping Pop can’t hear it from downstairs.

Hattie: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE WORD?

I wipe my eyes, shaking my head.

Me: Not sure. Haven’t given it much thought.

Hattie: DON’T THINK. JUST PICK ONE. YOU CAN CHANGE IT LATER.

Damn. This woman.

Fuck it.

Me: Harvest.

Hattie: OOOOH! GOOD ONE!

Hattie: IT’S A PRETTY WORD AND IT SOUNDS WHOLESOME. AND ANCIENT, AND IMPORTANT.

I nod at my phone.

Me: Pretty important from where I sit.

So important that I need to tell her goodnight so I can get some rest. I just don’t want to. Not yet, anyway.

I close my eyes and picture her sitting in the back of my truck. Then I open them and type.

---