I couldn’t help but chuckle.
“I know it’s a very strange situation, one I don’t even know what to make of anymore,” I sighed. “My family’s farm was everything to me. When I had to sell it, cause we were in so much debt, I was heartbroken, so this was my crazy solution.”
“That sounds tough, Iris,” he said.
“It sounds insane, that’s what it is, and saying it out loud makes it sound even more absurd,” I groaned. “The more time goes by, I wonder what the hell I was thinking and if this was all worth it.”
“Now that he is here, what are you going to do?” he asked.
“Probably dodge him for a few days,” I chuckled. “It’s the least of what he deserves.”
“Well, if you need some reinforcements just let me know,” he said. “I’m sorry I rode the bull with him.
“Thanks, Beau,” I said, clapping his shoulder. “You didn’t know, and Nash Yarbrough is a handsome asshole. I don’t blame you. In any other situation I would be all over him.”
“All the good-looking ones are assholes,” he chuckled. “Well, not all, but most.”
“I agree, thanks for waiting for me, but go get some sleep.” I gave him a side hug.
“You too, can you do me a favor?” he asked, before I rounded my truck.
“Yeah,” I said intrigued.
“Can you text me when you’re home and safe?” he asked shyly. “I’ll worry wondering if you’re alright.”
“He doesn’t know where I live, but I will. Thanks, Beau.” I waved, leaving before I did something like kiss his cheek or worse, throw him in his back seat and have my way with him.
I jumped into my truck, pulling out my phone to put some music on when I noticed a text from my dear old husband.
Nash:Breakfast tomorrow? My treat?
I rolled my eyes. Nash could try to charm his way into whatever he thought I could give him, but he had another thing coming. I had nothing left to give to him and his family so whatever he wanted he could fucking beg for it.
7
beau
Gettingoff in front of a camera was all fine and dandy until you had to do admin work. It was possibly the worst part of the job. Answering emails in a professional manner instead of just saying bitch, per my last email, was the second worst part. Don’t ask me why I always saved everything for one day, but I did. If I did this every day, I would be in a shitty mood twenty-four-seven.
Fuck admin days.
To further procrastinate, I sent Iris a text to make sure she was ok. It had been twenty minutes since I had texted her, not that I had been counting, but still no response and now I was a little nervous. I didn’t get bad vibes from her husband, but who knew? He could be a Ted Bundy type, charming, good looking, and a complete wacko.
My phone rang and I jumped at the opportunity at taking a break, a tad disappointed when it wasn’t Iris.
“Hola, Amor,” I said, getting up from the couch.
“Hola,” Valencia purred. “How are you doing?”
“I’m doing good, how about you, mama?” I grabbed a mug to make tea.
“I’m wondering if you’re finally ready to tell me what the hell is going on, Beau?” Valencia sighed.
I leaned against the counter wishing I hadn’t answered the phone. Valencia had given me plenty of time to talk to her, but I couldn’t. It surprised me that she had given me this long to come clean on my own; I still wasn’t ready.
“Look, I know something has been up since before New Years. I know you don’t have to tell me everything since we are technically casual friends in the business,” she said softly. “That doesn’t mean I’m not worried. Beau, you moved to Sterling Ridge, but you hate small towns. You need comfort, a bougie mall and something bigger than a local grocery store. Beau, you would have a Korean spa day every month with one of those body scrubs that are way too invasive, but leave you so, so fucking soft.”
Oh god. I miss a good scrub down. Everything she was saying was true, but I didn’t know what to say.
