“Good night, kitten. We’ll talk more tomorrow.” Rhys pats my bottom before landing a gentle kiss on my forehead. He watches me drive away, and in my haze of lust, I completely forget about the potential pitfalls ahead of us—our differing opinions about love.
***
“What do you mean he doesn’t believe in love?” Shannon asks in shock the next morning when I relay the details of my date with Rhys last night, finally able to think clearly after a night of self-given orgasms and fantasizing about my potentialheart spark.
Due to a last-minute cancellation this morning, we’re busy sorting dresses for the next appointment in an hour, which gives us plenty of time to discuss my conundrum of a date.
“Just what I said. His mom did a real number on him, and now he’s all ‘love’s not real.’” I lower my voice in a sad impersonation of Rhys’s sexy baritone and sigh. “His points are valid as far as offering respect and security in a relationship, though I’m not sure those are more important than love, more like they’re on equal footing.”
“Hmmm… It kind of sounds like he shows love through acts of service rather than words.” The reference to one of the five love languages doesn’t surprise me. Shannon’s been reading a ton of relationship books lately in preparation for her marriage to her fiance, Tim. “Like Rhys wouldn’t say he’s showing love but his actions prove otherwise. When you think about it, wouldn’t you rather actions over words anyway?”
Considering this new perspective, my eyes scan the strapless gown in my hand absentmindedly. “Yeah… I would, especially since it’s better than the other way around—all words but no actions to back them up. Guess I would just like both.”
Because if we’re talking love languages, one of mine is words of affirmation. My family was never big on compliments, no matterwhat I accomplished, so it’s only natural that I’m hungry for some kind of positive feedback.
You should probably schedule another session with Dr. Walton.
As if I haven’t gone over this need with my therapist a thousand times already.
Shannon shrugs and adds another dress to the rack. “I get that. Though I still think it’s too early to even bring love into the equation. Y’all move too fast for me, both you and Hannah.”
“Says the woman who waited five years for her boyfriend to finally propose. I don’t know how you did it.”
“Trust me, it wasn’t always easy. But at least we know each other now. Tim’s been with me through the holidays, met my family, and vice versa. No more surprises.”
Sounds kind of boring to me, but I keep the thought to myself. If it’s what Shannon wants, then that’s her prerogative. “Well, I don’t see Rhys proposing anytime soon, so rest easy,” I tease, unsure how I’d even react to a marriage proposal.
Who are you kidding?
If he got down on one knee and promised me forever, I’d say yes so fast, I’d probably break some Guinness world record.
Yep, definitely schedule an appointment with Dr. Walton.
It’s not that I’m so desperate I’d agree to marry anyone who proposed, but Rhys is different. He makesmefeel different. Like I’m precious to him, desirable. And I can’t ignore the instinct saying he’s myheart spark.
“Good,” Shannon huffs, darting a pointed glance in my direction. “In other news, Tim’s only available to tour our wedding venue on the thirteenth, which means I won’t be able to cover our booth for Hearts Ablaze. Are you alright handling it by yourself?”
The week of Suitor’s Crossing’s annual festival to celebrate Valentine’s Day is one of our biggest moneymakers. So manypeople flood Main Street to check out the carnival and booths, and we meet a ton of brides who gladly take our business cards.
“Sure, I’ll be fine, and if worse comes to worst, I’ll just call Hannah or Luna to see if they can help.” The bell rings announcing our next client’s arrival, and Shannon steps back to assess the gowns we’ve pulled.
“Thanks! I hate leaving you alone during one of the busiest times of the year for us, but it’s been difficult working around Tim’s schedule. He doesn’t really care about any of the wedding planning stuff either, which makes it extra tough.” A note of dejection enters her tone, making me wish I could ask if everything’s alright between them, but before I’m able to respond, Shannon’s gone to greet our client.
I’ll check in on her later.
I’d hate for there to be trouble brewing between her and Tim, but it wouldn’t come as a surprise based on what I’ve seen from her fiance.
“Kelsey, this is Willow. She’ll be helping us find your perfect wedding gown.” Shannon returns with the bride and her small entourage of friends and family. Stowing away my concern for another time, I smile in greeting, focusing on doing my job rather than hypothesizing about the status of Shannon’s relationship.
Besides, you have your own relationship to think about.
With Rhys—the man who rejects the possibility ofheart sparks.
CHAPTER SIX
RHYS
Raucous laughter rises from a table in the back where a couple of members of the Reapers Wolves MC are enjoying their beer and a game of darts. Checking my phone again for the time, I shake my head and sigh, taking a long drag of the bottle in front of me.
