Chapter 7 #2
Ah, that explained it. Willow shrugged, aiming for casual.
“No worries at all. What matters is that I got my computer back. I don’t care who delivered it.
Mateo did a great job setting it up.” She needed to make it clear that she didn’t have a favorite IT support person.
It was bad enough that Barb thought she did; she couldn’t let Scottie think so too.
That could lead to all kinds of complications.
Scottie’s smile faltered. A shadow flickered across her face.
Guilt twisted in Willow’s stomach, but she knew she couldn’t take it back. It was better to draw a clear line. She stabbed at a piece of sweet potato with her fork and dragged it through the quinoa without lifting it to her mouth.
The expression on Scottie’s face lasted only for a moment, then her friendly smile was back. “Anyway, glad to hear Mateo got you back up and running while I was off playing tech support in the woods.”
Willow wasn’t sure whether she should feel relieved or dismayed that Scottie was letting her off the hook so easily and just moved on as if nothing had happened. Probably the latter. She wanted boundaries, right?
And yet she found herself continuing the conversation too. “Sandy River… That’s what, about an hour’s drive one way?”
“Yeah.” Scottie shrugged. “But I didn’t mind.”
Scottie never seemed to mind anything. Was she really always so kind and easygoing?
“It’s a nice drive,” Scottie added. “Gorgeous scenery, especially this time of year. Have you ever been out that way?”
Willow shook her head. “I haven’t had much of a chance to explore the area yet.”
“But you’ve seen a bit of the city, right?” Scottie asked.
“Oh yeah. My sister dragged me to Powell’s, the vacuum cleaner museum, a kombucha tasting, and to get some pear-and-blue-cheese ice cream at Salt and Straw.”
Scottie nodded approvingly. “Good choices. All sufficiently weird, which will help you earn your Portlander badge.”
Willow bit her lip. With the effect she had on electronics, she was sufficiently weird already, thank you very much. “If you think that’s weird…my sister also made me try goat yoga.”
Laughter burst from Scottie’s chest. She slapped her thighs with both hands, apparently not minding at all that people looked over from nearby benches. “Goat yoga? You’re making that up!”
Her laugh was so unfiltered and genuine that Willow’s lips curved into a smile. “No, I swear!”
Still chuckling, Scottie eyed her skeptically. “You want me to believe the goats are doing yoga?”
“No, people are,” Willow replied. “You’re supposed to attempt a yoga pose while a goat claims your mat and another is climbing on top of you.”
Scottie’s unrestrained laughter rang out across the little park again. “Yeah, okay, that does it—Portlander badge earned.”
Willow pierced a slice of carrot. “Well, I admit that I didn’t do much yoga, but it was a lot of fun anyway. The goats are really cuddly, and their antics made us laugh.”
“Just wait until next year. If your sister is a connoisseur of weird things, I’m sure she’ll drag you to the Naked Bike Ride and the Beard and Mustache Competition.”
Willow had heard of the Naked Bike Ride, but a beard competition? “No, thanks. I’m not into facial hair.” Once again, the words had come out without her permission. That seemed to happen a lot around Scottie. She rubbed her overheated cheek with the back of her hand.
Scottie laughed again. “Yeah, me neither. The Mermaid Parade is more my speed. Sparkly costumes, fishnet stockings, seashell bras, and colorful body paint—it’s basically Pride with tail fins!”
The mental image made Willow chuckle along with her. “That sounds interesting.”
Scottie nodded and opened her mouth to reply.
Oh shit. Was Scottie about to invite her to the event? Expressing interest in the Mermaid Parade might have been a huge mistake.
The buzzing of Scottie’s phone interrupted before she could say anything. “Sorry, hang on. That might be one of my colleagues. They’re probably wondering what’s taking me so long.” She dragged her gaze away from Willow, pulled the phone from her pocket, and tapped open the message.
Willow exhaled. She stared into her bowl, pretending to be occupied by her lunch, while Scottie read the text.
Scottie slid the phone back into her pocket. “Mateo wants me to pick up some donuts on the way back. That man has a secret addiction to pumpkin spice donuts. Want me to pick you up one too? They make a great dessert. I could drop it off at your desk if you want.”
Willow fished a piece of sweet potato from her bowl and stuffed it into her mouth to buy herself some time.
Scottie tilted her head like a golden retriever waiting for her to throw a tennis ball.
“No, thanks.” It felt like kicking a puppy, so Willow patted her stomach to soften the rejection. “I’m full.”
Scottie straightened. “All right. I should probably say no more often too, but life’s too short to turn down yummy treats.” She flashed her a grin and got up. “See you around.”
Willow gave a small, tight smile. “See you.”
As Scottie walked away, Willow’s gaze followed her, watching her cross the street and weave through the company parking lot until she lost sight of her in the jumble of cars.
“What was that?” she muttered to herself.
Once again, she had opened up and told Scottie more about herself than she had wanted to. She hadn’t meant to bring up her sister or their weekend activities or to remind Scottie of her sexual orientation again.
Why was Scottie so easy to talk to? Something about her presence seemed to ease the constant knot of tension in Willow’s belly, caused by the knowledge that technological doom was always just around the corner.
But if she wasn’t careful, she was risking something even worse. As an IT person, Scottie could easily figure out Willow’s secret. She couldn’t afford to get too comfortable around her, no matter how nice Scottie was.
Sighing, Willow put the lid back on her container. She’d lost her appetite.