"Thanks for coming over, Penn," Daisy shouts, her voice light and airy and pleased.
I pause at the front door. "Anything for you, Sunshine."
Chapter 39
Daisy
Hey, Sailor. Are you planning to help me drywall and re-tile the bathroom? My new cabinets will be installed soon. No worries if not. I'm sure I can figure it out on my own.
Am I allowed to park my truck on your curb during the day? Tongues will be wagging.
I grabbed dinner at Sammich last night and told Margaret the same guy who's working on the Bellamy house is helping me with repairs at my house. My guess is that most of the town will know by now.
Now I understand why Sal tried to hire me for handyman services this morning when I stopped by Sweet Nothings for a bagel.
Did you take the job?
It was a light bulb change out and a bathroom fan replacement. It took me less than half an hour.
I am so sorry!!!
It's fine. Sal is funny. He and Adela bicker constantly.
I know. I think it's their love language.
I'm meeting an appraiser at my old house at 10. I can come over after that to see what it is we're going to need to do and buy. I have rehearsal for the play at four (we have to wait for the tyrannical director to be let out of her sixth grade class).
See you soon.
Chapter 40
Daisy
"Good news,"Penn says, when I answer my front door. His faded blue jeans fit him snugly, and his gray T-shirt, printed with NAVY across the front, has a worn-out neck. A handful of paint droplets dot the hem, and there's something about this I love.
"What's that?" I ask, stepping back to allow him inside.
He reaches into his pocket, pulling something out with a flourish. "I got these cool new glasses." He slides them on. The lenses are dark brown, the frames a cheap looking plastic tan. "They are magic."
"How so?"
"When I have them on, I can't see you, but I can still see everything else. This means I can tile your bathroom, and be impervious to your feminine wiles."
I laugh so hard, I'm dangerously close to snorting. Reaching over, I pluck them from his face and break them in half. They snap in a way only the cheapest of sunglasses can.
His mouth drops open and I hold them up for his inspection. Then I tuck each half into the pockets of my lemon yellow maxi skirt.
"Wicked," Penn comments.
To which I say, "I really hope that's not your A game."
"Invisible force fields were my backup plan," he responds, and it makes me laugh.
"You are so bad at this."
He runs a hand through his perpetually unruly hair. "I've never had to fend off a woman I'm desperate for."
Pleasure ripples through me at the worddesperate. "I've never had to work this hard to make a man want me."
