Because if anyone really saw the cracks in my armor, there’s no chance they’d stick around.
“Tucker,” she groans, drawing out my name. “She’s very sweet. Very pretty. The type of gal to bring sunshine into this town. You’ll like her.”
I freeze at her words. Not at the wordshe—I’d already swallowed that surprise. But at the rest of it.
Sweet. Pretty. Sunshine.
Only one woman in bright colors comes to mind. The one who seemed to slip under my skin before I could stop it. Truth be told, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about her since the night we met. In any capacity. Scottie rocked my world in San Francisco—and again yesterday when I saw her at the house. It only confirmed that the spark I felt was something no one could deny or try to hide.
“That’s nice,” I settle on, grabbing the dish rag and wiping the counter.
“Careful,” Nan warns. “You’re coming off like Grumpy Griffin. Sometimes I think you prefer the company of your tools over?—”
“At least they don’t talk back.”
She points a finger in my direction. “You can’t fool me.”
I feign shock. “I’d never try to do that.”
“Pull out your phone so you can take her number down, smart-ass,” Nan says. “And atleastcheck in on her since she’s been there forwell overtwenty-four hours now and the owner hasn’t so much as stopped by.” She dramatically rolls her eyes dramatically.
Nan tells me her number from memory like she’s known it her whole life, while I type it in my phone.
As I’m about to put it down, Nan stops me. “Whoa. You didn’t text her.”
“I will when I leave here.”
“That’s like midnight.”
I tip my head back, and exhale a sigh. “Fine.”
Me
Hey. Nan gave me your number. Since you’re staying at my place, I wanted to check in on you. Sorry, I’ve been busy with work and haven’t stopped by.
I hold up the screen toward Nan. “Happy now?”
She shakes her head. “Real smooth. You’re just as bad as Griffin with texting.”
I scowl in her direction because there is no one in the world as bad as Griffin at texting. He doesn’t even spell out full words and leaves you to decipher every message he sends. The word you, is literally “u.”
“What do you want me to say? You asked me to check in on her, so I am.”
My phone buzzes almost immediately.
Unknown
Hey there. Thank you so much for reaching out. Your text came at the perfect time because I was hoping to get a chance to meet with you about the door to the apartment. It keeps getting jammed.
Me
Sorry about that. I meant to take care of it. I’ll get it fixed tomorrow.
“Done,” I tell Nan. “We had a conversation.Noware you happy?”
Her lips twitch like she wants to smile, but she stops herself. Sitting back on her stool, she crosses her arms over her chest. “Almost. But she’s a busy girl. Since she’s awake and texting you, maybe you should bring her a burger from the bar on your way home. I doubt she made it to the General Store.”
My phone buzzes again just as I’m about to concede to Nan’s idea.
