Chapter 18
Walker
Present Day
Today was a good day. The sun was shining, it wasn't hot as balls, I got a solid workout in, PT went well, my elbow felt good, and I had my afternoon coffee in hand from PrimCup.
I was beginning to see a light at the end of the dark tunnel I had felt trapped in for the past several months.
Now that Farrah and I had decided on our newfound friendship, I thought what better way to start it off than to drop by her office with her favorite drink, or at least what I hoped was still her favorite drink.
It definitely wasn't because I hadn't stopped thinking about her since the night we’d had our talk, and it wasn't because I needed to see the business she’d created, her dream.
And it most definitely wasn't because being in her presence was my light at the end of the tunnel.
Nope, just a friend bringing another friend an afternoon pick-me-up, that was all.
I shifted the drink tray into my left hand, and as I pulled open the door to Wildflower Interiors, I almost ran straight into an awfully familiar-looking guy on his way out. "Oh, shit. Sorry," I said while backing myself up and stepping out of the way to hold the door open for him to pass by.
Where had I seen him before?
He cracked a smile, and then sudden recognition crossed his face. "Walker James?"
I knew for a fact I didn't know the guy, but by the look in his eyes, he must have been a fan. I nodded and smiled. "That's me."
Tall guy immediately shoved his hand in my direction to shake. "I'm a huge fan. I'm Ryan. How's your elbow? That was tough to watch, but I heard you might be back next season? The Aviators need you on the mound, man."
I took his hand and gave a firm handshake. "Thanks, man. Elbow is feeling good, and yeah, that's the hope." I cracked a small smile.
I hated talking about next season; I hated the unknown of it all.
Ryan threw a thumb behind him in the direction of the building.
"So, what brings you to Wildflower Interiors?
Are you renovating a place?" Realizing he might have been crossing a line, he quickly followed it up with, "Shit, you don't have to tell me that.
I don't know why I asked that. I'm nervous and just a big fan.
" Ryan ran a hand through his hair, clearly embarrassed.
I chuckled. "Nah man, that's okay. I'm just going in to see Farrah." I lifted the tray of coffees in my hand, "I brought her a drink."
"No, shit? How do you know Farrah?" I liked this guy; he seemed harmless enough. But for the life of me I couldn’t figure out where I’d seen him before.
"We're friends." I left it at that. I didn't think Ryan needed to hear the complicated history between Farrah and me.
"No shit? I'm surprised she never mentioned that, since she knows what a big Aviators fan I am." Ryan's brow furrowed at the thought.
Why would she tell him anything?
"How do you know Farrah?" I smiled, trying to ease the bite from my tone.
"We’re working on a project in Forest Park together. I run a contracting business."
Phew, okay, just work friends.
"But we've been going out pretty regularly now."
He was the douchebag from the bar! Goddamnit, now I hated him.
My grip on the drink tray tightened as I tilted my head toward the door. "That's cool. Well, it was nice meeting you, I should take this to her before it gets cold."
Ryan nodded eagerly. "Yeah, for sure. It was great to meet you too, man. I'll see you around."
I hope the fuck not.
I forced a smile at him and made my way into Farrah's office.
I took a moment to take in the space. Every touch, even the most subtle, was all Farrah.
I saw her in everything. The soft colors mixed with a bit of bold, edgier steel finishes, and wood accents here and there to warm the space.
She’d always been good at mixing colors and finishes that I thought had no business being together.
A throat cleared behind me, startling me.
"Hey there, can I help you?" I turned, and a tall young woman with hair so dark it was almost black stood in front of me.
"Hey, I'm Walker. I just brought Farrah a drink." I held up the drink tray as if I needed proof.
She smiled. "Oh, okay… let me go grab her. I'm Maddie, by the way."
"Thanks, and nice to meet you, Maddie." I returned her smile and, if I didn't know any better, thought I saw a slight blush form up her neck and onto her cheeks. Maddie quickly scurried off in the direction of wherever Farrah was.
Not even a minute later, long legs, golden waves, and jade eyes rounded the corner and locked onto me.
Just the sight of this woman always had a way of brightening my day, like the sun beginning to shine after the darkness from a storm.
Farrah tilted her head slightly, a confused look crossing her face.
"Walker? What are you doing here?" She tucked a long golden strand behind her ear; she was nervous.
Before I could respond, a mini version of her came barreling around the corner, nearly taking me out at the knees. Tiny Farrah looked up at me with large green eyes, the same as her mother's. "Hello?" It came out as a question.
"Hadley, what did I tell you about running in the office?" Farrah blew out an exasperated breath.
"No run," Hadley responded with a smile.
Farrah pulled on one of her blonde pigtails. "That's right, now apologize to Walker for almost running into him."
Hadley's gaze left her mother's and drifted back up to mine. "Sowy, Walka."
I knelt down so I was eye level with Hadley and stuck my hand out for her to shake, "That's okay, Hadley.
It's nice to meet you, though." Hadley flashed me a smile, one adorable dimple in her left cheek, and I swear I felt my heart crack wide open. I stood back up and held out the caramel macchiato I’d gotten for her.
"I grabbed you a caramel macchiato when I was at PrimCup.
Wasn't sure if it was still your favorite or not. "
Farrah eagerly swiped it from me with her grabby hands. "Always will be." She immediately took a long sip, sighing happily.
I chuckled. "Easy there, Wildflower."
One snort-choke and two contented sighs filled the room. I couldn't help but smirk.
"Sorry, coffee went down the wrong pipe," Farrah stumbled, trying but failing to hide that hearing her old nickname threw her off.
"Oh my God, did you just call her Wildflower?" one of the contented sighs asked. She looked young, maybe college-aged, and had striking long auburn hair and piercing blue eyes. I couldn't help the shit-eating grin that spread across my face at how uncomfortable Farrah looked.
I nodded. "I did. That's her nickname."
Farrah immediately interrupted, "Was my nickname. He used to call me that when we were dating… that was a long time ago." She narrowed her eyes at me.
Maddie, the other contented sigh, and the one I’d met earlier, waved her hands in front of her face.
"Wait." She turned her attention to Farrah.
"Did you name your business after a name your ex-boyfriend called you? I thought it was just because we’re in Texas.
" She clasped her hands together, her dark eyes shining, brows pulled up. "That is SO romantic."
I chuckled as Farrah rolled her eyes. "No, I named my business Wildflower Interiors because we live in the Texas Hill Country. It just happens to be an old nickname, too."
Ignoring Farrah, Maddie turned her attention back to me, "So, why do you call her Wildflower anyway?"
I glanced at Farrah, who looked at me like she was trying to set me on fire, willing me not to answer the question.
So, naturally, I answered the question.
"Well, her birthday is April 4th, which happens to be wildflower blooming season, and they also remind me of her, colorful and vibrant."
The redhead sighed loudly, again. "Wow. That is the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard in my life." She reached out a hand. "Hey, I'm Emma, by the way."
Farrah set her drink down and clapped her hands. "All right, you two, back to work. I don't need Walker volunteering any more details about my past."
Maddie and Emma groaned in protest as they reluctantly made their way back to their desks.
"And you two," Farrah pointed at Hadley and me, "my office."
Once we entered Farrah's office, Hadley knelt on the soft area rug, where a couple of coloring books and piles of crayons were strewn about. She grabbed one of the coloring books and looked up at me. "Walka, you cawa wif me?" Fuck, how could I ever say no to this little blonde doll?
I lowered myself onto the rug next to her, taking the coloring book from her hands.
"Of course, and now that we’re friends, you can call me Walk.
" Hadley flashed me the most adorable smile, dimple and all, before handing me a crayon.
The coloring book she gave me was Old MacDonald's Farm, and I began coloring a horse. "Hey Hadley, do you like horses?"
Her little eyes lit up. "Yes! I wub horseys."
I glanced at Farrah out of the corner of my eye, who was leaning against her desk, watching us. "Me too. They’re my favorite; I have two of them. I also have two tiny donkeys. Maybe if your mom says it’s okay, you can come see them one day."
I heard Farrah's annoyed sigh and didn't miss her eyes going straight to the ceiling, as if she were asking God for strength in that moment.
Hadley clapped her hands excitedly and looked to her mom.
"Mommy, peeaase!? Go to Walk's house?" Farrah's eyes slid from her daughter’s to mine.
I could see the hesitancy. I knew spending more time with Farrah, and especially spending time with her daughter, was probably not the wisest thing, because even though we had talked and decided to move on as friends, I think we both knew there was still so much unresolved between us.