Not a big deal.
I can handle this.
“Technically, that was Rupert that said that. Right, Ruuuu—” I look around the living room, and he’s nowhere to be found.
That motherfucker.
“Looks like he doesn’t want to confess his wrongdoings, but I will for him. He just really wants to see me happy and married, so I think that conversation had energy he never expected you to witness.”
“Mm-hmm, I see.”
“Yeah, but, you know, you’re your own woman and you make your own choices, so whatever you decide is obviously best for you, even if that means you marry a sandbox. If that’s the case, I’ll be sure to send a gift to you and the sandbox, perhaps a shovel or two.”
“You’re rambling.”
“And sweating,” I add, easing the anger in her expression. “Any chance you want to tell me why you’re here so we can move past this?”
“Fine, I came here because I needed some help lifting something and thought that you and Rupert could assist.”
“Of course,” I say with way too much enthusiasm. “Let me slip on my trainers and I’ll be right there. Is it over at your house?”
“No, it’s at the candy store.”
“Oh, and you came all the way over here to ask me? You know, you could have just answered my text that I sent you.”
“I had to come back to the house for some supplies so figured I could just ask you here.”
“Do you mean that, or are you attempting to avoid having a cyber repartee with me? Are you nervous I’ll break the rules?”
“You most likely will, but I’m not nervous about that in the slightest because I’ll just block you.”
“Ouch, without a warning?”
“Follow the rules.” She lifts her chin.
“I will.”
“You won’t.”
“I shall try.”
“I’m sure. Anyway, are you coming?”Not for quite some time, it seems.
“Any time I can spend with you is time well spent.”
“Dear God, don’t say that shit to me,” she says as she moves off the porch. “Meet me outside in five. Grab your friend, we’re going to need him.”
“Sure.” She heads down the porch stairs. “Wait until you see my muscles, you’re going to be quite impressed with how I can use them,” I call out as she walks toward her house. “I can come shirtless. Want me to be shirtless?”
“No.” Then her front door slams shut.
Guess I’ll be keeping the shirt on then.
“It’s a work in progress, so don’t judge anything. This is the first time I’ve been in it since it shut its doors.”
Renley actually looks worried, as if she’s expecting me to tell her that her sweets store sucks. Which, for the record, I’d never do. I’m trying to win this girl’s hand—the last thing I’d do is make fun of something that she really cares about. Also, I’m not a dick, so that’s something I wouldn’t do anyway.
“Just open the door, I can’t wait to see it.”
