I went to reach for the handle just as she did, and our hands bumped.
"Oops, sorry."
I turned to face her as she stepped back. Without thinking, I stroked a finger down her soft cheek. Satisfaction coursed through me when she gave a subtle shiver.
"Sweet dreams, gorgeous," I murmured before turning on my heel.
Chapter 12
Simon
Withasatisfiedsmile,I bent down to turn off the lawn mower.
Sweat dripped down my back from the harsh sun as I removed the plastic earmuffs and hung them around my neck. I could murder a beer right now.
This was the second time I'd cut Francine's lawn, and it was a lot easier this time around.
My dad's lawnmower was so ancient it hadn't started. When I took it in to get repaired the owner advised that it was cheaper to buy a new one.
When I knocked on Francine's door with my new electric lawnmower and offered to do her lawns, she burst into tears of gratitude. It made me feel ten feet tall.
Yes, I could've paid someone to do it, just like I did with my lawns. But the guilt I felt for being a dick to Francine all those months and her husband being ill made me want to go the extra mile for her.
Plus, I knew she liked to chat and was starved for company. The old me would have recoiled at having to make small talk with my neighbor. But the more I got to know Francine, the more it started feeling less like small talk and more like just...talking. Like I would with an old friend.
I bent down to detach the bagger from the lawnmower and sifted a few clippings along the grass. Francine wanted to add the rest to her compost and make mulch, so I left the rest where she instructed.
I removed my gloves and surveyed my work, pleased that it only took half the time compared to my first attempt.
My thoughts drifted to Sofia, as they irrevocably did since the night I had dinner at her apartment.
Would Sofia be impressed? Not that I was helping out Francine to impress her, but she was part of my reason for wanting to be a better person. A better cousin, a better nephew, even how I treated women - I just wanted to bebetter. To do better. Being called out on my shit by Barron and Sofia was the wake-up call I needed.
My phone chimed in my pocket, and I removed the gardening gloves I borrowed from Francine to check.
Ashley: Baby, where have you been? Been missing my Simon loving ;)
I grimaced and almost dropped my phone when a photo attachment showcased a topless Ashley. She had great tits - and they were even better in person. Unfortunately for Ashley - and Simon Jr - there was only one girl's tits that had me popping a chubby. And I hadn't even seen them.
Shit, for all I knew, she was probably still fucking Walmart Brian. The mere thought had me clutching Henry's gloves tightly.
I had tried to get intel from her. After coaxing Sofia to give me her number - under the guise of needing it for trip planning purposes - I abused my privileges by texting with her nonstop. Hey, I was trying to be a better person, not Mother Teresa.
Simon: You still seeing Ben?
Sofia: B R I A N.
Simon: Whatever. So you two still a thing?
Sofia: MYOB.
Simon: ???
Sofia: C'mon, you're a smart boy.
Mind your own business.
I rolled my eyes. I had to know.
