Chapter 5 #2
“It’s important to enjoy what you do,” Natalie said. “I never imagined I’d be running a summer camp and working at an afterschool program, but I can’t imagine anything else now.”
“Life gives us what we need, although sometimes we don’t like it.”
“Very true.” Natalie looked up at Omar, their gazes shining with something that made me jealous.
I looked away and focused on the options for centerpieces.
“What are we looking at for everything if we do half and half with the centerpieces?” Omar asked.
I went back to the table where we started the meeting and put in everything we talked about. I gave him a number that made Casey’s eyes bug out.
Omar nodded. “That works. And you can have everything done for the wedding?”
“Absolutely,” I told him. “It won’t be a problem at all. I can deliver everything to the Retreat that morning, get it all set up so you don’t have to worry about it, and I’ll bring the boutonnieres and bouquets to you if you want.”
“That would be perfect. Thank you so much,” Natalie gushed.
“Of course. I’m happy to do it. If you think of anything else, let me know, okay?”
They nodded, stars in their eyes as they focused on each other.
Four weeks until the wedding and they were ready.
I could see it. I’d seen more than a few couples come in before their wedding, and some had that look of love in their eyes, and others looked like they were stressed out and annoyed. I preferred the happy ones.
“What else do you need from us?” Natalie asked Casey.
Casey smiled and shook her head. “Nothing. I’m just following along and figuring everything out. Before I publish anything, you’re both going to see it, okay?”
“We trust you,” Natalie said, hugging Casey.
“Still. After everything you two have been through, I want to make sure you see it all. I will send it to you tomorrow at the latest.”
“Thank you, Casey. That means a lot.” Omar hugged her, too.
I felt like I was missing out. I didn’t get to hug Casey. But it wasn’t like I could ask her for a hug. That would be weird.
“Are you walking out?” Natalie asked when she turned toward the door, and Casey didn’t follow.
Casey looked at me for half a second, then shook her head. “I was going to pick out some flowers to take home. Something to brighten my place up.”
“Oh, fun. We have to run, if that’s okay.”
“Yes, of course. Don’t let me hold you up. I’ll be in touch soon.”
Natalie hugged Casey again, then followed Omar outside.
Casey stared after them, her teeth sunk into her bottom lip.
Was she worried about me? About being alone with me? She didn’t seem to be, but why was she—
“I want you to teach me how to flirt,” Casey blurted without looking at me.
“You… What?”
She drew a breath and let it out slowly, then faced me.
Her brown eyes were wide with fear or excitement, maybe both.
Her cheeks were stained with a blush. Her chest rose with the rapid breath she sucked in.
“Flirting. You’re really good at it. And I feel like I wouldn’t know what to say to a man if my life depended on it.
I need lessons or something. I don’t want to cross any lines with you or anything, but I was hoping you could help me… Oh, my God, what was I thinking.”
She started toward the front of the store, half-running away from me.
All I could think was stop her!
“Wait!” I called out.
“Please forget I said anything. I don’t know—”
“I’ll do it!”
That stopped her. Her handbag swung, narrowly missing a large display near the front of the shop. She spun around slowly, as if she would spook me if she turned too quickly. “What?”
“I’ll do it. I’ll teach you about flirting.”
“You will? Why?”
I shrugged. “Because you asked.”
“Just like that. You’ll teach me about flirting.”
“Sure. I like flirting. And there’s certainly nothing objectionable about spending time with a beautiful woman.”
“Well, I’m not sure your girlfriend would agree.”
My brows shot high. “Uh, I don’t have a girlfriend.”
“Reegan. I mean Reegan. I know you two broke up, but everyone knows—”
“Nothing,” I interrupted her. “Everyone knows nothing. Reegan and I are over. We’re not getting back together. I hope she finds happiness, but it’s not going to be with me. We’re not right for each other, and we both know that. That’s why it’s over.”
Casey took a tentative step toward me. “You sound pretty sure about that.”
I exhaled a laugh. “That’s because I am. Not that you asked, but when things ended, I was angry, but she and I have talked. We know we’re done. It’s everyone else in town who has trouble with that idea. Which is why…”
“Which is why what?” she asked when I didn’t continue.
Could I do this? Could I really say what was on the tip of my tongue?
Fuck it.
“I’ll teach you about flirting. About whatever you want to know. But I need a favor from you.”
She gulped. “What sort of favor?”
“I’m assuming you’re going to the wedding.”
Her brows furrowed before her eyes widened. “Natalie and Omar’s wedding?”
“Yes. And I’m assuming you’re going alone since you’re asking about flirting lessons.”
“I am.”
“Then for payment, I want you to go as my date.”
“What? Why? No. Reegan—”
“Is not in the picture. But she will be there. And if I show up alone, everyone will be trying to push us together all night. I can’t deal with it.
Dating in this town is hard enough, but dating when everyone thinks I should still be with my ex is borderline painful.
I need to make it clear to everyone in town that I’m not with Reegan. ”
“And you think showing up with me is going to make people stop talking?”
I grinned. “I guarantee it won’t. It’ll make them talk more. But they won’t be talking about me getting back together with Reegan.”
Casey considered my offer. Her eyes narrowed, then she nodded, almost to herself. She took a step closer and extended her hand. “Deal.”
I smiled and stepped closer. I grasped her hand in mine, clasping it between both of my hands. I watched as her eyes widened. She tried to tug her hand back, but I held firm. “We have a deal, Casey.”
She sucked in a breath, her pulse fluttering under my fingertips.
This was going to be so much fun.