Chapter 4 Dean
DEAN
Strawberry Springs Neighborhood Watch
Marjorie Brown: Does anyone know if Dale has any more of those lime sodas?
Comments:
Jade Clark: I was there last night and I didn’t see any.
Kerry Winsor: Wait a second, a serious post from you two? The world must be coming to an end . . .
Marjorie Brown: I would never joke about something so amazing to me.
Dale Garrett: Sorry, guys, that was a one-time thing. Someone came in and bought them all.
Marjorie Brown: Who could be so selfish? I should have bought them all first!
“Damn, Dean, that wall looks good.”
I was still focused on making sure it was totally smooth before I turned to Wren. I took pride in my work, and that included putting things back together when I tore them apart. Most people didn’t worry about the details. I did.
And I was able to finish up early too.
But my mind hadn’t been here, even as I forced myself to work on projects. It was in the Treasure Trove with Grace, reliving the night before.
The sounds she made. The way she felt. It was addicting in a way that I couldn’t describe.
I hadn’t gotten her out of my system, which was new for me. Usually, I was able to move on.
But I pulled myself out of those thoughts and focused on Wren, who was still staring at me.
“Hopefully Theo likes it,” I replied. “He seems a little nervous about this being done.”
“This is a dream of his. Now that he just has to paint, I bet he’s realizing how close he is to being done.”
I took a look around the coffee shop. Other than the joint compound I’d put on the drywall, it was put together. The walls were mostly white, with the exception of the one that was original brick.
“You’ll have to let me know what he does with the place.” Usually, I wouldn’t care, but this was a man’s dreams being realized.
“You could see it yourself. I might have more work for you.”
“How much could you possibly have?” I knew how towns like this were.
“This isn’t your average small town,” Wren replied. “You’d be surprised.”
I had a feeling she was wrong. Other than Grace, this place had mostly been what I’d expected.
My answer should have been no, but she had the same tone as when she’d called me the first time. I’d never heard her sound so happy. I didn’t want to turn her down.
“Let me know, but it depends on how my next few jobs go.” Once I was out of here, I had a feeling I wouldn’t think about this place ever again.
“All right, all right. I know you’re in high demand. Thank you for coming to this one, though. It was good to catch up after Renovating with Love ended.”
“It was,” I said. “But small towns just aren’t my scene.”
“Fair enough,” she said, and I was glad she wasn’t pushing me. “Let’s go get Theo. I can’t wait to show him the whole thing.”
Wren walked outside. As usual, Theo wasn’t far. He’d been asked to help with something at the diner, which was the only way we’d gotten to finish it all to show him.
“Is it ready?” he asked the second we came outside.
“Yep. Are you ready?”
He took a breath. I could tell this coffee shop was his passion, and I knew he was going to put his all into it. Theo followed us back and his eyes traced over everything we’d done.
“How is it?”
“Perfect,” he said, his voice low. “I can’t wait to make it mine.”
“How long will you need to open?” Wren asked. “I’ll need my coffee fix soon.”
“A few weeks.”
She would enjoy it. Theo had told Wren what he had planned for the shop, and I knew it would be different than the sister store he was working with, even though the sister shop was already incredible. He knew what he was doing, and I hoped Strawberry Springs treated him right.
“I’ll be here. And so will Mollie. She needs caffeine now that she’s gonna have a newborn.”
Wren talked so much about her life ever since she moved, and I knew it was a good thing. But I’d never seen her like this in all the years I’d worked with her. She was more confident and happier. It was all to do with Henry and the community she’d found here.
I was happy for her, and happy for her friend Mollie too. I hoped they didn’t get hurt like I had.
“Do you need anything else?” I asked Theo. “If not, I should head out.”
“No, I’m good. Excited to get to work.”
I nodded and left. I assumed Wren was saying her goodbyes as I headed to my truck. She then followed me.
“Hey, wait up.”
I paused and turned. “Yeah?”
“Do you wanna stay for dinner?” she asked. “Henry just texted and said he’s feeling up for the diner tonight. And I owe you for staying a little longer to perfect the drywall.”
“I shouldn’t,” I replied. “I need to get back.”
“Really? I bet you’d like the diner.”
“I seriously doubt that. And I bet everyone here is waiting for me to be gone.”
I knew the second I said it that I shouldn’t have.
“Was someone rude to you?” She crossed her arms. “Tell me and I’ll beat them up.”
No one had been rude, but I knew they didn’t like playboys here.
“Of course not,” I said with a laugh. “I’m just an outsider. Seriously, I just have a few things I need to get back to.”
“All right. Don’t be a stranger, though. I do like working with you.”
“Uh, yeah. You too.”
“I know that was hard for you considering how you hate being seen as liking someone.”
This was teetering on a topic I didn’t want to talk about. “It’s not about attachment. I just like to not be tied down.”
“Okay, okay. I’ll leave you alone about it,” she said. “Have a safe drive home.”
I watched Wren walk away before my eyes turned to the Treasure Trove.
Was she inside? Would she want to see me?
I didn’t go back for more. I’d learned a long time ago it wasn’t good for me. We’d agreed to do it once and I was due to leave.
My feet carried me to Grace’s shop anyway.
A bell announced my entry, and I saw her on top of a ladder changing a mannequin.
“One second,” she called.
“Take your time.”
Her head jerked toward me when she heard my voice, and she immediately lost her footing on the ladder. I was there in an instant and caught her right before she hit the ground.
“Oh my—thank you,” she said breathlessly. “I’m surprised you were able to catch me.”
“Why’s that?”
“I’m not exactly thin.”
I rolled my eyes. “Baby, any man who can’t lift you should go back to the gym.”
Her shocked laugh was beautiful, and I slowly put her back on her feet.
She tucked a strand of curly hair behind her ear.
She was wearing yet another perfect outfit.
Instead of a skirt, she wore cheetah print pants that hugged every inch of her, and a crop top that showed the slightest bit of stomach.
“You should have used that panty-melting line a few days ago. It would have instantly worked.”
Would it work again? I had to stop myself from saying it and a loud silence took its place.
Grace cleared her throat and looked away. “So, are you here for your makeover? I have a pink dress with your name on it.”
I crossed my arms, feeling unusually tense talking to her. I hadn’t felt like this since high school. “I was heading out, actually.”
Grace’s eyes went wide. “Is the coffee shop done already?”
“It is. The rest is just painting and decorating, which Theo insists on doing himself.”
“Wow. It feels like you just got here.”
“I’ve been here for a while. I spent most of it staring at you, though.”
“If you weren’t so hot, that would be creepy.”
“You’ll have to give me a little . . . grace.”
She rolled her eyes. “Oh, wow. Never heard that one before.”
I held my hands up. “I didn’t mean it as a pun . . . unless you’re into that.”
She laughed once more before her gaze landed on me. “So, why are you here then, Dean?”
I considered it. Should I tell her I couldn’t stop thinking about her? Should it be that I wanted her again? Or should I say I just wanted to talk to her once more?
Because all of it was true.
Instead, I took one step forward and pressed my lips to hers. She made the most adorable little squeak I’d ever heard.
But then she pulled away. “Dean?”
“One more time?” I asked. “For the road.”
“I thought you didn’t do things again.”
I didn’t. This alone was out of character for me, but I was leaving anyway. I’d never see her again. Once more couldn’t hurt. “Once just isn’t enough for a woman like you.”
Her mouth popped open and I wondered if she was going to ask me why I’d done this. I wouldn’t have an answer for her.
I kissed her instead.
“You’re doing a great job of convincing me,” she murmured against my mouth.
“Please say yes,” I said. “I have more compliments to give you.”
She gasped as I nipped at her neck. “Y-yes. Fuck yes, actually.”
Relief flooded me.
“We should lock the front door,” I said. “And close the blinds.”
“I have a way better idea.”
Grace led me to the fitting room and locked that door instead. I couldn’t see much since the lights weren’t on.
“Baby, you gotta let me see you.” I would beg. I wasn’t above it.
Grace laughed and the lights flipped on. “Impatient. You just have to give me a second.”
The dressing room was massive, with a full-size chair and three mirrors in one of the corners. Grace obviously spoiled everyone who tried on clothes in here. I would be enjoying this for a different reason.
“Plenty of women don’t want me seeing all of them.”
“I’m not shy. I just don’t wanna get caught.”
When she kissed me again, she led me to the chair in the corner where she landed in my lap. I cupped my hand under her ass and tugged her closer.
“Your ass is so fucking perfect.” I gave it one smack. “Just like the rest of you.”
“The mirror’s behind me. You can see it too.”
My eyes followed her direction. The sight was obscene. “You know how to torture a man, don’t you?”
“More like I know how to give him what he wants.” She reached for the hem of her shirt and tugged both it and her bra off.
“Fuck,” I muttered as I saw her tits for the first time. They were a handful, maybe more, and they looked better than they felt.
“I can already feel you,” she said as she pressed her hips down.
“When I have a view like this? It takes seconds.”