“Are you a vendor?” a woman to my left asked as I stood there taking it all in.
I gave her my information, and she directed me to my table. A printed piece of paper that saidToy Boxwas taped to the middle of it, and I couldn’t help but smile.
Seeing the name printed out like that made it feel real, not just an idea scribbled in a notebook between shifts at the diner.
I might actually pull this off.
I was arranging and rearranging the business cards, trying to keep my nerves from spiraling, when I heard heavy footsteps approaching.
“Wow, the finished product looks amazing.”
Wyatt leaned forward to examine the nightstand. He looked unfairly good, his shaggy dark hair falling into his eyes, his wide shoulders stretching his trademark flannel.
My heart gave an annoying little skip at the sight of him.
“Wouldn’t have come together without your help.”
He shrugged. “You would’ve figured it out. All I did was drag my furniture around.”
I laughed, and we locked eyes.
“I appreciate your help just the same.”
For a moment, neither of us looked away. The noise of the room faded into the background, leaving just the two of us standing across the table.
He licked his lips. “I wanted to ask you—”
My phone rang noisily, cutting him off.
I gave Wyatt a sheepish look before pulling it from the back pocket of my jeans.
Benjiflashed across the screen.
“Sorry, it’s my kiddo. I have to get this.”
He nodded, more understanding than a lot of people were who didn’t have kids, and stepped back.
“Hey, hun. What’s up?”
“Mom, I need some advice.” His voice was tight.
My eyebrows dropped, and I glanced at my watch.
“Aren’t you at work right now?”
Benji was quiet for a moment. “Yeah, we just…”
“What’s wrong?”
Wyatt’s posture changed instantly. The easy humor drained from his expression as he stepped closer.
“The guys felled the tree and then we were all going to take a break before we cleaned up. Brody and Levi went into town to grab us something to eat. I thought I’d start the cleanup, you know, impress the boss, but the homeowner is pushing me to drop another small tree for him, but—”
“But nothing. Your job is to clean up. You don’t fall the trees, or run the dangerous equipment.”
“That’s what I told the guy, but he says it’ll ‘only take five minutes’ and he’ll complain to my boss if I don’t get it done,” Benji exhaled shakily.
I pursed my lips, trying to keep my temper intact. “You told him no, and he is still insisting?”
