Chapter 28
The sinking feeling is gone.
I don’t really know when it happened, but as I look around my shop and how smoothly it seems to be running, I finally feel like I can spend time outside this place without worrying about it.
Rhett has inspired me to focus a bit more on pursuing something that excites me.
Not that the shop hasn’t become a big part of my life, but I like the creative outlet I get with designing far more than I like making sure everyone’s got their daily dose of caffeine.
And with all the success I’ve been seeing, I can now fund that dream.
My phone vibrates.
I swear the man knows just when to show up.
RHETT: PIC 4 PIC?
I smile at his forwardness.
ME: U 1st ;)
RHETT: DON’T THINK RICHY WILL BE HAPPY IF I STRIP NAKED ON SITE
ME: ONLY 1 WAY 2 FIND OUT…
I put my phone in my pocket, regretting my boring choice in underwear today.
Not that Rhett would probably care. He said before I could wear a potato sack and still look hot, and a thong has definitely got to beat that.
It’s crazy to think that not that long ago I hated his guts.
Well, at least I acted like I did. Now, almost every single one of my waking thoughts seem to have something to do with him.
“You look extra cheerful lately, Miss Kaylee,” Ginny says, clearly noticing my pause. “This wouldn’t have to do with a certain handsome cowboy, would it?” She lets out a soft giggle and I smile.
“He’s, ironically, part of the reason, but you’re also to thank.”
Surprise gleams in her eyes. “Me?”
“Absolutely. We are such a good team. The shop feels like it’s always in good hands, and that makes actually living my life here and there possible.
” I release a breath, once again scanning the shop and how every square inch of it is perfectly tidy, even without me having been here yesterday.
“Thank you again for all of your help. You’re the best.”
She smiles so brightly you’d think my compliment came with a million-dollar check.
I think of how sad she was the other day, and how today is such a stark difference. I’m glad to see her so happy, but it makes me wonder about our conversation about Rhett’s friend, Judd. Maybe this happiness means things have changed? “So,” I ask softly, “any news from the cup situation?”
Her smile vanishes, diverting her gaze away from me and toward her feet.
Nope, that definitely means it didn’t go well.
Her eyes become glassy and she sniffles, stifling her sadness as she fights back tears.
Dammit, I shouldn’t have brought it up.
“Maybe he didn’t see the note you left. If he didn’t know to look for it, there’s a huge chance he didn’t find it.”
Glancing back up from the floor, she dabs at her eyes, doing her best to hide the sorrow that she very clearly feels.
“You’re right, maybe he didn’t see it.”Hope lingers in her eyes as she bites her lip and looks around the room. Almost like if she searches hard enough, she might find the answer to what she should say next. “I, uh, tried to call him too, though.”
I don’t have to ask to know he didn’t answer, or if he did he wasn’t nice. Quiet sits between us a little too long, so I ask anyway. “How’d that go?”
“The number was no longer in service,” she groans, closing her eyes as if to wish it away.
He changed his number? What the fuck did she do that made him do that? I consider pressing, but the tears return to her eyes and I don’t want to make it worse for her.
She sniffles before inhaling and exhaling a slow, deep breath. When her gaze flicks to mine once more, there’s still sadness swirling in the depths, but a quiet strength lingers there as well. “I guess when you close a door yourself, you shouldn’t expect it to reopen.”
Like the words themselves were magic, the bell on the door rings, and she greets the customer like her sadness never existed at all. A mask I’m rather familiar with myself.
I walk back toward my office and sit down at the desk, contemplating how I can help her but falling short.
Part of me wants to text Rhett and ask about his friend and if he knows anything about their situation, but what if Ginny gets upset? It’s not really my place to be talking about their love life. I know I’d be pissed to find people meddling in mine, even if it was with good intentions.
Blowing out a breath, I place my phone on the desk, noticing one of the ticket stubs from the fair.
I may have won the derby game, but I think we both won that night.
Sex with him was electric. Intoxicating.
And those fireworks... That’s basically what being with Rhett felt like.
Not that I am in any hurry to admit that aloud.