“You’ll take the invitations to the post office today?”
We’d finished filling out the invitations last night. I’d mentioned it would be easier to extend invitations via the internet, and he’d promptly explained that we were trying to win the respect of the people of SunsetFalls, not alienate them. Because the majority of our invites were the town’s stuck-in-their-ways oldies, invitations via the web would have been counterproductive.
When he said it like that, I had to agree.
“I’ll drop them off when I head in for work.”
Briggs peers at me from under his brows as he pops the last of his omelet into his mouth. He chews, swallows, and swipes his plate as he stands. “Is it your intention to continue working for Sunrise Blooms?”
“I like my job.” I pull the heel of my foot onto the seat of my chair. Briggs’ eyes drop to my bare leg before he cuts his eyes to the sink.
“You’re going to be busy with your job here.”
“I’ve already spoken with Randy about cutting my hours some.”
Briggs steals another peek at me. “If you’re sure you’ll be able to handle it.”
“I like flowers.”
There’s a moment of silence. “You can always plant some flowers here. Or whatever you want.”
I already planned to do that. The empty pots outside are sad, and now that my debts are squared, I have a little money to play with.
I lift my coffee to my lips as Briggs slides his plate into the dishwasher. Then I look at the box of invitations on the counter. “You really have no one you want to invite to the wedding?”
“Just my mom and Nash’s family.”
I don’t look at him as I ask, “Have you told your mom about me?”
“I have.”
The view of the mountains outside really is beautiful. Distractingly beautiful.
Or that’s what I tell myself. Really, I just feel insecure when it comes to Briggs’ mother. It’s clear he loves her dearly. It’s even more clear that she would be disappointed beyond disappointment if she knew of our scheme.
When Briggs says nothing more, my eyes drift unwillingly to him. Butterflies take haphazard flight inside my stomach, threatening to rise into my throat.
I push, “And she’s just cool with you marrying some woman you only just met?”
He gives me his eyes. No, he slams those eyes into me. It’s a violent thing, even as it’s absent of touch. My heart riots in protest.
Hesitantly, he tells me, “She’s cautioned me against hasty acts.”
I feel my brows snap high on my forehead as my eyes grow wide. “That’s it?”
“That’s it.”
“Briggs…”
“She knows there’s little chance I’ll change my mind once I’ve made my mind up about something.” He folds his arms over his chest as he leans into the counter. “I’ve been very clear that I’ve made up my mind about you.”
“Oh.” I can’t ignore the heat that spreads inside me like wildfire at both the muscles that ripple under the skin of his crossed arms, and the fact he sounds so certain about me. About what we’re doing.
Also, there’s the way he looks at me.
Senior must sense my insides are going haywire, because he bumps his wet nose against my bare leg. I drop my gaze to him, giving him a pet on his head as I coo, “Hey, boy.”
Briggs pulls in a big breath as he kicks off the counter. “I have a full day today. The surveyors will be out, and I’d like to be present.”
