Now I have to remind my dick to be a warrior and keep it together.
3
HAILEY
Iwatch Sara scurry back behind the counter before my eyes land on Oliver.
The corner of his mouth always curves a little when he sees me. It’s the dimples that appear that cause me to wonder if I should call the fire department because the room suddenly feels too hot, but right now, I need to keep it together.
“Your coffee is on me. The least I can do for being my superhero the other week,” I offer. He’s a knight in shining armor, but that’s because the man in front of me has character and cares, wearing his heart on his sleeve. I envy whoever will be lucky to be his other half for life. Alas, I’m just the one to offer coffee while I’m melting on the inside.
Instantly, he whips his palm up in protest. “That will not be happening.”
My eyes roll to the side because I wouldn’t expect anything less. I’m lucky that I work at an elite private school, which means my salary is a little higher than many teachers. But it’s nothing compared to Oliver who makes bucketloads as a lawyer in the sports industry. It’s impossible to argue with him. It’s not the first time in Foxy Rox that he’s been adamant that I will pay nosuch thing, and he probably already gave a sign to Sara that he will pay for my coffee too.
I really don’t care about money. It’s just a shame that it makes the world go round.
“Never argue with a lawyer,” I reply and bite my bottom lip to try and suppress my wide smile that is dying to escape.
His sight drops down to my thumb. “It’s gone. The stitches and brace. They didn’t need to cut your thumb off.”
Holding up my thumb, I examine it and smile proudly. “Only a scar. It feels a little different, but I should survive.”
“Well, that’s good. Ava might lose her cool if she loses a bridesmaid.”
I shake my head and pick up the glass canister of sugar, even though I have no plans to pour some into my coffee later. “Trust me, she’ll still find something to lose her cool about.”
She’s good for my brother, but she’s a different kind of person when it involves wedding planning. A nervous wreck at best. It’s understandable. By no means do I have a mood board of my wedding dreams tucked away in my closet, but I’d be lying if I didn’t have an idea of what I might want for a wedding one day in the future.
“I haven’t seen you around. I know we live on opposite ends of the street but normally you go for a jog. Not that I’m a stalker, it’s just sometimes I notice routines from neighbors and friends of brothers.”
His tongue swipes to the corner of his mouth. Did I sound flustered? I didn’t mean to. He just always has an effect on me.
“It’s been raining a lot, and I wanted to tie up some work. The usual.”
I frown at him, unimpressed. “Your life sounds a little stale. You might want to liven it up a bit.”
He stifles a laugh. “I might follow your advice… one day.”
“You should. Oh!” I flap my hand, excited. “Apparently, the Dowes at number 21 had a wild party.” I flash my eyes at him, hoping he gets the hint, but he just stares blankly at me. “As incouples…”
His head perks up. “Oh yeah?” I nod. “Huh… they didn’t strike me as living the lifestyle. I guess I can see it now.”
“Our street always has drama or gossip and I only just moved there.” Thanks to Esme shacking up with Keats, her neighbor and Oliver’s colleague.
“You missed the days when Keats and Esme would argue on the front lawn,” he reminisces.
“Oh no, they still have a little quarrel here and there,” I assure him.
Our street gossip is interrupted when Sara returns with my coffee and sets it in front of me. “I hear you checked out the building down the street,” she comments to me.
The one that would be perfect for a preschool but is way out of my budget. I even asked the bank the other day.
“Let me guess, Molly mentioned when she came in?” Molly is the town’s only realtor.
She smiles brightly. “Yeah, and said you were thinking something for kids, right? That’s what you want to use it for?”
My head cocks to the side. “Yeah, a preschool. It’s silly,” I say, brushing off my idea.
