He sets it down, then says, “Nine more to go.”
“Okay, super.”
I watch as he stacks the next two boxes on top of the first. “You ever replaced greenhouse windows before?”
Awesome. Another person who can’t just quietly do his job and leave.“No.”
Grabbing another box, he starts a new stack on the grass. “It’s not too hard, but it’s better if you have an extra set of hands.”
“Well, I just have the two, so…”
He looks confused for a second, then says, “Ha! I heard you were funny. I meant you should ask Colton to help. He and his dad replaced theirs last year.”
“Okay, thanks for the tip.”
“My great aunt is a widow, too. Do you like to play bridge?”
“Not really.”
“Oh, too bad, because she has a bridge club with a few other retired ladies,” he says.
He disappears into the truck again, which is fortunate for him because he can’t see the intense rage on my face right now.
“There’s also bingo night every Friday at the seniors’ center. That might be fun for you.”
“I just turned forty.” Like, a few minutes ago.
He freezes mid-stride. “Seriously? That’s sad.”
“Is it?” I ask through clenched teeth.
“Well, yeah. You’re kind of young to not have your husband anymore. My great-uncle died when he was eighty-four, so we were all expecting it.”
“How many more boxes are there?”
“Four, I think.”
“I left something on the stove. Do you need me to sign for this?”
“Nah, I trust you.”
I storm into the house, bumping into Liam’s chest.
“Whoa! You okay?” he asks, as I bounce off him.
“Fine. Sorry. I didn’t see you there.” I let out a long sigh. “How old would you say I am?”
“Oh, I don’t like this game. There are no winners here,” Liam says.
“Seriously. I need to know.”
“Twenty-nine?” he asks, raising his eyebrows and giving me a hopeful smile.
I glare until he says, “Okay, listen, I’mreallybad at guessing ages. Height and weight too. And honestly, I won’t know if you look fat in that new dress, I mean should you buy one and ask me my opinion. I’ll just tell you that you look great, and that’ll be the God’s honest truth.”
“You do realize the longer you stall, the older I’ll think I look.”
He swallows hard. “Oh, Christ.” Looking deep into my eyes, he says, “Old enough to know better but too young to care?”
