Best not to push the fates. With a final sigh, I quietly head back downstairs.
I give my thanks to Hunter and Gabe for another great night, and Hunter gives me a look like he knows exactly what I did. But I don’t let him say anything else. With a kiss to each of their cheeks, I’m out the door.
Once settled in Levi’s truck on the way to my house, Levi breaks the silence.
“You wanted to knock on his door with that cupcake, didn’t you?”
“Of course I did.”
“But?”
Levi knows me well, and I angle towards him. “If he drove all day and he’s sleeping, that would be a dick move to wake him up like that.”
Not to mention it’s not the best first impression. Even I know that. Let the guy sleep so he can bask in my amazingness when he’s ready.
We chat a bit more about what will happen at The Thirsty Cow tomorrow before Levi drops me off at home.
After checking the kitchen to make sure Dad didn’t leave me any notes, I quietly make my way to my room in the basement. It’s nearly 1 A.M., and while Sunday is usually my day off, one of my staff is still away sick. Instead of finding someone else to cover, I said I’d do it. Levi offered his help, and I wasn’t about to turn him away either.
5 A.M. will come quickly, but I can’t bring myself to sleep just yet. My eternal optimism has one of its random dips, and I replay the worst day of my life. Instead of basking in the warmth and fun I just shared with my closest friends, memories of the man I thought would love me through better or worse burst unwanted into my positive bubble.
I’m grateful to be home when my downturn hits and not somewhere I need to hide it.
Thankfully, I have the best dad in the world who helped me not just over heartbreak but also through the fight of my life. My hand absently brushes over my short hair. A reminder, perhaps, of all I lost. Even after he left me when I needed him most, my heart took forever to let him go, and I still hate that about myself.
I’ve worked hard to be the bubbly business owner I am today. I’ve left the past behind me, finally, and my personality is what it was before all the shit that exploded my happily ever after into nothing but charred bits.
I’m Diamond.
I’m the man who loves to flirt and makes people feel good about themselves through compliments and food. I’m the man who doesn’t give up.
I didn’t go through hell just to give up looking for love. There’s a man out there for me, and it’s Rhett.
He just doesn’t know it yet.
“Oh, Kirk, you didn’t have to bring me flowers.”
The town florist, Kirk Summers, sets the arrangement on the front counter.
“You ordered them and need to come up with a new line, Diamond.” He rolls his eyes, but there’s a smile there.
“Fine. I’ll work on new material if you promise to stop working so much.”
Kirk laughs loud enough to draw the attention of patrons. “Pot meet kettle.” He says when he gets himself under control and I allow him that.
“Yeah, yeah. I know. Hey, listen. Next week, could you make the bouquet something white? Like with a wedding feel?” Passing him the empty vase for next week’s delivery, he raises an eyebrow.
“Is there a wedding in the future?”
“There’s always a wedding somewhere. Just something different is all. I’m feeling romantic, so surprise me.”
“Okay. I’ll see what I can do.”
Passing Kirk his usual mint mocha—yes, it’s out of season, but that’s what friends do for each other—he leans against the counter for our weekly chat before he’s back to deliveries.
“How’s your dad?”
Smiling, I mirror his lean. “Singing to tomato sandwiches daily. The usual.” Kirk sips and slides his gaze from mine. “You know I’m fine with it if you want to ask him out.”
