They agree to bring him to the site and sign any permission forms that need signatures. Basically, I’d just need to be there to meet them and take photographs. I head to Groupon and search for availability on ziplining, pleased to find a deal for Elevate. I fill out all of my personal details and pay, which then sends me to a reservation page for the company. Several dates and times are blacked out already, but I’m grateful to find a spot available for two o’clock this Saturday. I click the time and accept, receiving their confirmation screen a few seconds later.
There. Done.
I reply to the Hendershot’s email with the good news about Saturday afternoon at two, hoping it fits with their schedule. Their acknowledgement is almost instant. They agree to meet me at Elevate by two o’clock for Logan’s ziplining adventure.
Sighing, I log off and power down my computer. As I make my way to the kitchen, I set my phone on the counter and grab a bottle of water, taking a hearty drink. I really should eat some food to soak up the alcohol in my stomach. As I make a quick ham and cheese sandwich, I keep glancing at my phone, as if it’s taunting me. When I’m halfway through my dinner, I finally walk over and grab it.
Me: Have you ever been ziplining?
Rigsby: What kinda question is that?
Me: A serious one?
Rigsby: We live in the mountains, Bestie. Who hasn’t been ziplining?
Me: Uhhh, me?
Rigsby: Why do you keep answering my questions with a question?
Me: In all fairness, I was the one who asked the original question.
Rigsby: I’ll give you that. Are you serious about never ziplining?
I return to my sandwich and take a bite before typing my reply.
Me: Yes, I’m serious. I might be taking someone this weekend though.
Rigsby: What does that mean? You’re going?
Me: No, one of my students earned it as a reward. I’m taking him Saturday afternoon.
Rigsby: I hope you’re taking him to Elevate. They have the highest safety rating in the area. Plus, I can vouch for the staff. They’re topnotch.
Me: That’s where I have a reservation.
Rigsby: Good deal. What time?
Me: Two
He doesn’t reply right away, so I take the opportunity to finish my sandwich. Paired with a bottle of water, I don’t feel the effects of the tequila any longer. However, now that I’m relaxed, exhaustion starts to settle in. My body is tired, my mind even more so. This is one of the times I wish I had a hot tub or Jacuzzi for relaxation, but even though they’re crazy popular in the area, especially amongst tourist cabins, I’ve never really felt the need to own one.
A bath with lavender bubble bath will suffice.
Me: I’m off to relax. Night.
He replies right away.
Rigsby: Do you own a dog, Bestie Tami with an I?
Me: That’s random.
Rigsby: I’ve been thinking of getting a dog.
Me: What kind?
I take a seat on one of the stools at my counter and try to picture myself as a dog owner. As a child, I wanted a dog, but we lived in town, in a small apartment complex with two other families, us being on the top floor. I remember begging my parents for a dog when I was about eight, swearing I would take care of it every day. Of course, my child idea of taking care of it and the reality of caring for a dog were two totally different things. We settled on a cat because it didn’t require multiple trips outside a day from the third-floor apartment with no elevator, and while I was perfectly content with Miss Kitty, the desire to get a puppy has never gone away. I just ignored it as an adult, convincing myself I was too busy with work to properly train one.
Maybe someday.
Rigsby: Something that likes to be outside, enjoying nature with me.
Me: Oh that’s right, that running garbage you mentioned.
Rigsby: LOL Yes, that garbage. I’d love to take my dog with me. But he’d have to be something big and manly, like a Lab or a Shepherd.
Me: Oh! A chocolate Lab! They’re so cute. That was one of the pups I had picked out when I was younger.
Rigsby: A good choice too. Labs love the outdoors.
Me: I’m not too much of an outdoorsman though. I’d probably be better off with something like a cockapoo or a morkie.
Rigsby: *insert shocked face emoji* WTF is that????????
I giggle as I type out my reply.
Me: A cocker spaniel poodle mix and a terrier maltese mix. My friend’s parents have a morkie and it’s so stinking cute!! *insert heart-shaped eyes face emoji*
Rigsby: Those sound like little ankle biters. Nothing manly about those, Bestie. I’m disappointed.
Me: Why?
Rigsby: It means we’ll never settle on a dog together. *insert winky face emoji*
My heart gallops and suddenly stops beating altogether in my chest. Together?
Rigsby: I should let you get back to your relaxing. I’m going to search local pet shelters for a manly dog to adopt.
Me: Aww, good luck!
Rigsby: By the way, are you relaxing in a hot tub? I’m trying to visualize right now, you know, maybe naked? A bottle of wine? *insert grinning devil emoji*
I bark out a laugh and shake my head. Men.
Me: No hot tub for me.
Rigsby: Damn. I guess I’ll just picture you in a bathtub instead. Naked. Lots of bubbles.
Me: You’re incorrigible.
Rigsby: I’m a dude. Guaranteed that I’m thinking of someone naked twenty-four seven, Bestie.
Me: Good to know, I guess.
Rigsby: Well, I’ve got one, just so you know. It’s available anytime you want to relax. Swimsuit optional. *insert winky face emoji*
Me: Of course you do…
Shaking my head, I can almost picture him now, sitting back in his hot tub with half a dozen women. He’s definitely a player, a man who could probably charm the panties right off a nun with little to no effort. Rigsby is a natural flirt and probably reaps the benefits of it nightly.
Before I can talk myself out of it, I go ahead and send my own flirty farewell message.
Me: I’m off to my bath.
Me: Naked.
Me: With bubbles…
Then I quickly exit the texting app, plug my phone into the charger on the counter, and head off to the bathroom with a grin on my face, ignoring the insistent chimes of his replies.
Chapter Five
Royce
“How’s my favorite oldest son?” my mom asks, when she sees me standing at the counter at Sweet Treats Bakery.
“No need to throw in the word oldest. I know I’m your favorite, regardless of birth order,” I tease.
She gives me a warm smile and shakes her head but doesn’t rebuff my claim. There’s no use. She knows I won’t listen to it anyway. “This is a pleasant surprise,” she says, as she wipes her wet hands on a towel and comes to the counter.
“Rueben called and is bored, so he’s meeting me,” I tell her, noticing Vivian, a woman a few years younger than me, staring at me with one of those grins. The one that says she’s definitely interested in a little no-strings fun if I’d give her the slightest inkling I was willing. And not that I’m not willing, but I refuse to sleep with my mom’s coworkers, despite how hot they are. That’s a whole kettle of fish I’m not interested in getting into. Like sleeping with my own employees.
Not happening.
I throw Vivian a wink and a grin and return my attention to my mom. It’s more flirtatious than an invitation, but I’m not sure she knows the difference. Mom glances over her shoulder and just shakes her head.