It was the weirdest thing, but for some reason, that statement about my bachelor status left a sour taste on my tongue.
That had never happened before. I wasn’t embarrassed of my reputation. Usually I did what I could to live up to it. But this wasn’t the time to try and figure out why something had shifted. Or who might have been the cause of it.
Like my feelings for my best friend’s little sister, that would be pushed into the deepest, darkest recesses of my mind until I managed to forget all about it.
God willing.
Chapter Six
Lennix
I’d been sitting at my computer for hours, lost in the never-ending work, when my phone chimed, pulling me out of the haze of numbers and graphs that made my brain a cloudy, cobweb-covered mess.
I blinked, my eyelids feeling like they were coated in sandpaper, and shook my head to clear it before flipping my phone to see a message from my mom.
Mominator:Turn off the computer and back away from the desk.
I smiled as my thumbs flew over the screen, crafting a reply.
Me:Did you put cameras in my office?
Her response came quickly.
Mominator:Not necessary. I know my girl, which means I know you’ve probably been working so hard you forgot to eat.
As if on cue, my stomach let out a rumble, reminding me that it had been too long since I put anything in it.
Me:Your weird, mama-mind-meld thing doesn’t impress me. It’s just creepy.
Mominator:Yes it does, and it’s not creepy. It’s a talent I’m sure I handed down to you. One you’ll be grateful for when you start popping out babies. I’m sure you forgot, so this is your reminder. Family dinner tonight. Now pack up your things and get your butt over here.
I started to type out a response, but another message came through before I could hit send.
Mominator:And don’t bother telling me you’re too busy. I don’t care. It’s MANDATORY. See you soon, daughter of mine.
Ugh, I hated when she used shouty caps in texts. It was just so aggressive.
Letting out a resigned sigh, I did as she ordered and shut everything down, knowing there would be hell to pay if I ignored her command. I waved at Emily, the manager of the tasting room, on my way out, and pushed through the back door into the parking lot as I fished through my bag for my keys. It never failed that the damn things fell into some sort of black hole that seemed to go on forever in the bottom of every purse, no matter the size. No matter how many times I told myself I would keep my purse clean andonlycarry the essentials, I always ended up with a ton of crap that helped bury my keys in the nothingness.
“Aha!” I cried triumphantly as soon as my fingers wrapped around the cool metal teeth. I yanked them out and thrust my fist into the air, only to jerk to a stop when my eyes landed on my car. Or more specifically, on the single white tulip lying on the hood.
My steps were reluctant as I closed the distance and reached for the folded piece of paper resting beneath the stem. The writing was sharp, slanted script that leaned more masculine than feminine, spelling out two words.
My beauty.
No signature, nothing else. Justmy beautyand a white tulip. The little hairs on the back of my neck stood straight as I lookedaround like whoever had left it was still there might still be lingering in the parking lot. A shiver worked its way down my back, and I could have sworn I felt eyes on me.
I shook my head, realizing how ridiculous I was being. “Jeez, Len. Get your shit together. No one’s stalking you,” I muttered to myself as I tossed the flower and letter in a nearby garbage can. I worked in a bar, for crying out loud. There was no shortage of admirers for everyone on staff here, so I was sure whoever left the message and flower was just some well-meaning person with a crush, who was as bad at pick-up lines as the sweet cheeks dude from last week.
Putting it out of my mind, I climbed into the car and headed off to my parents’ before my mom could send any more texts.
By the time I pulled in front of their house, my stomach was growling steadily at the thought of whatever my mom had prepared for the evening. It didn’t matter what it was. Whatever she cooked was going to be incredible.
I shut off the engine and climbed out right as the front door to my parents’ house was thrown open and my sister-in-law came rushing out.
“Wow, Rae. Did you miss me that much?” I asked with a teasing laugh as she hurried down the steps in my direction. “I know we haven’t seen each other in twenty-four hours, but you didn’t need to come out and greet me personally.”
“I’m not. I mean, not that I didn’t miss you. But that’s not why I came rushing out here. I wanted to warn you before you went inside.”
