Page 11 of If You Like It, I Love It

I know she’s not talking about appliances anymore, and I for sure have no business weighing in on her loss or how it’s shaped her views. Joni hasn’t talked to me about her personal life, but Rhett mentioned she lost her husband several years ago. Too young. Cancer.

Rhett Wilding is that old-school protective type when it comes to the women in his life. I like the guy, but he gives off a guard-dog vibe sometimes. He and Joni are just friends, but he wasn’t looking to set me up with her. I’d think he’d have his hands full trying to keep up with Glynnis, but I know why he told me about Joni’s husband.

It wasn’t to drum up sympathy for her, and it wasn’t necessarily a warning . . . just a message that didn’t need to be explained. I got it. No offense taken, but I also won’t be asking for his approval if I see a chance to make things personal with her.

If she can afford ridiculously expensive appliances, and they’ll make her happy, then she’s right. She should have them.

This project is going to look better in my portfolio than I knew.

And maybe if I don’t offer my opinion where it’s not needed, I’ll look better to her.

6

Joni

The last furry patient of the day, a fat lazy cat named Killer, gives me a prolonged goodbye meow as I follow him and his owner to the door and lock it behind them the second his carrier crosses the threshold.

“What an afternoon!” I flip the sign on the door to closed.

“Must be a full moon,” our office manager, Andrea, says. “What time does your friend’s lip spa close? I really like that sugar scrub she gave us in those kits, and after the day I’ve had, I think I deserve to splurge on myself.”

Our receptionist called in sick, so Andrea’s been covering the front desk, and the phones didn’t stop ringing for a minute. She’s probably right about the full moon. Every pet in town decided to either get sick or try a new trick that caused an injury between last night and this afternoon.

“Sugar Lips closes at five, but I can run by there in the morning and pick one up for you.”

“Oh, I see some free treats in Oliver’s future. Thanks, Joni. How’s the kitchen remodel coming along?”

“Good. I’m expanding it a little. My general contractor doesn’t love the idea of having to get a new permit, but he hasn’t quit on me yet.” I shrug. “Decided to splurge on myself.”

Andrea makes a yikes face. “I bet your splurge is going to cost a lot more than mine. What are you changing?”

“Bumping out the breakfast nook for a bay window.”

“With a window seat?”

“Built-in bench all the way around the window.”

“That’s going to look so good.”

“I think so, too. My contractor says I’m giving him gray hairs.”

“I don’t trust a contractor who doesn’t have gray hair.”

“Enzo is a little young to be going gray.” I feel suddenly defensive on his behalf when I mention his age. “But he knows what he’s doing.”

“So, he’s old enough, huh?” She winks. “Single?”

“Still too young. There is nothing going on between us.” Why does everyone immediately suggest I try to seduce my contractor? The women in this town all need cold showers. And possibly, better dildos.

“Yet,” she says. “There’s nothing going on yet. You keep pushing his buttons and see where it leads.”

“I’m just trying to get a new kitchen, Andrea.”

“And you deserve it. But you deserve a little fun, too.”

“What flavor lip scrub do you want?”

“Surprise me.”