TWELVE
Miles
Ainsley has given up on texting me. I wouldn’t mind so much, but now she’s calling me. I’m sitting in my office at work, and I would love nothing more than to ignore her call.
I should let it go to voicemail, but it’s the third time she’s called.
Picking it up, I scowl, hoping she can sense it when I answer the phone.
“What do you want, Ainsley?” I stare at the picture hanging on the office wall, one of my whole family hiking the Middle Sister. The three mountains in Sisters, Oregon, make for some excellent hiking and family memories. I was lucky enough to grow up in one of the most beautiful places an outdoor enthusiast could live.
“Who says I didn’t call you just to talk?”
“Because you hate talking on the phone.”
“Good point. They’re going ring shopping.”
I slide my office chair back from the desk and glance out my open office door. “Who is going ring shopping?”
“Who do you think? Preston!”
“What does that have to do with us?”
She sighs. “Listen, I’m so desperate that I’ve been dating online and trying to find someone I can fly to Vegas with. This is not something to be taken lightly. Do you have any friends who arenotserial killers and want to get married immediately?”
“First of all, I have no serial killer friends yet, but I’m thinking about finding one who takes care of annoying sisters. When are you going to tell me about the things Preston has done to make you mad?”
“Very funny. Would you like the list alphabetized or in chronological order?”
I snort-laugh at that. “Fair enough.”
“What do you think is a good option here? Because I cannot let that little wretch win.”
“Do you suppose Grandma is oblivious to his crap?”
The woman is super sharp. There’s no way she can’t see what a rat her grandson has turned out to be. We all keep hoping he’ll move somewhere far, far away. Hopefully, a remote island with no cell service. It would be a dream come true for the rest of us.
He was one of those obnoxious favorite children. His parents told him he could do no wrong, and he believed them. He’s been bailed out of mess after mess, and I have yet to see him suffer the consequences of his own actions. I keep hoping it will all catch up to him someday.
But for now, he’s getting awfully close to winning the bet. With my ex-girlfriend.
“Grandma doesn’t spend as much time with Preston as we do. And he’s always nice toher. Are you sure you don’t know anyone I could marry next weekend?” Ainsley says.
“No. Kingston is a little booked. Archie is married already.”
“Maybeyoucould get married.”
“To whom?”
“Are there no single women at your work? You’ve got to be kidding.”
Thea stops at the door, holding her tablet up in the air, pointing to something on the screen. “I’ve got the financials ready for you,” she whispers.
“Actually, I do know someone who’s single,” I tell Ainsley as I grin at Thea. She immediately looks suspicious. “I might ask Thea to marry me. What do you think, Thea?”
Thea narrows her eyes. “Eat?—”
“I think that means no,” I say over her with a laugh. “Ainsley, I’ve got to go. I have something called a job.”
