“I love it,” Tilly says as she checks out the flooring I picked for the bathroom. I went with a teal Moroccan-style luxury vinyl. It’s whimsical and will look cute with the wallpaper—a zany bathroom. “This is going to look so good. And luxury vinyl is so in.”
“And it’s super easy to install. Theo and I are going to tackle it tomorrow.”
“Theo, huh?” Tilly smiles as she smooths her finger over the luxury vinyl tiles. “How are things with you two?”
“Fine.” I shrug.
“Just fine? How come I don’t believe that?”
“No idea. But yeah, we’re fine. Thanks for asking.” My phone dings with a text message. Both of our eyes fall to the screen. Theo’s name pops up with a preview of his message.
Theo:Need your tits tonight…
“Shit,” I whisper as I pocket my phone in my short overalls.
Tilly laughs out loud, her head shaking in mirth. “Just fine, huh? Can’t tell you the last time I had a situation with a guywhere he told me he wanted my tits and things between us were just fine.”
“Maybe a little more than fine, but I don’t want to talk about it, as I’m trying not to let Aunt Kitty find out because she’ll make a big deal about it. I just want to finish the candy shop in peace and then deal with the rest of my life after.”
“That’s fair,” Tilly says like the good friend she is, not pushing me. “Shall I unveil your sign then, so you can go offer your tits up to the British guy?”
Deadpan, I say, “Just show me the sign.”
She chuckles and we head to the bar, where she has the sign propped up, a blanket covering it. She pulls back the fabric and reveals almost an exact replica of the Rudder’s sign that was previously hanging behind the bar. But this one is updated, more vibrant, and bigger.
“Wow,” I say in awe as I drag my fingers over it. “I love it. You did such a good job, Tilly.” I pull her into a side hug. “Thank you so much.”
“Of course. I think it came out well, and it was fun to work on something else for a change.”
“I’m so lucky,” I say, staring down at the sign, nostalgia hitting me all at once. All the happy memories I shared with my dad flood my mind, pushing away the negative ones that have been living there lately. “Thank you for bringing this back to life. It means so much to me.”
“You’re welcome. And when the new windows are up, I’ll paint the logo on there as well. Oh, and I was able to launder the red and white half curtains that were hanging in the windows. I got the stains out. Do you still want them?”
“I don’t know yet. I think we see how the store looks first and then we go from there.”
“Great plan.” Tilly looks around, taking in the changes I’ve made as well as the cleanup we’ve done. “You’re so close.”
“I know. I can feel it, Tilly. I can’t wait to open the store and create memories for others.”
“Marjorie is going to have to eat her own ass when she sees what you’ve done.”
“Eat her own ass?”
Tilly shrugs. “Thought it was appropriate.” My phone dings again and Tilly glances at my pocket. “Probably should answer that, can’t keep him waiting on your…tits.”
I roll my eyes, but she just gives me a quick hug and takes off.
I pull out my phone from my pocket and read the text messages from Theo.
Theo:Need your tits tonight. Come to my place when you’re done.
Theo:If you didn’t understand what I’m trying to convey, let me make it simple. You, me, naked, my bed. See you there.
Chuckling, I text him back.
Renley:Let me go back to my place first, make sure Aunt Kitty is asleep, and then I’ll sneak over. Is Rupert going to be okay with it?
Theo:I got him noise-canceling headphones to sleep with after I told him you were loud.
