10. Chapter 10
Chapter 10
Rina
Three days after delivering a bed to Rosedale, I’m making the drive again to deliver the daybed I finished this week.
I’ve successfully distracted myself from thoughts of the past and Arlo, along with my entire family, as I’ve buried myself in the workshop and worked non-stop.
The good news is that I’m damn near caught up on custom orders. The ostrich act of mine has really helped my business, so I guess that’s a bonus.
I’ll admit I’m worn out, though. Emotionally and physically, I feel close to my breaking point. Again. That’s why after this delivery, I’m taking the entire day off. I’m going to lounge on the couch, watch Friends , and eat all my favorite junk food.
A lazy day is well past due.
Pulling up to Elise Irvine’s house, I’m met with her sheer excitement.
“Good morning, Elise. We ready to install this gorgeous bed?” I ask, as chipper as I can.
“So ready! We’ve kept the whole project from my daughter, so she’s going to freak when she gets home from school.”
“Well, that’s adorable. Do you want to show me where the room is first, and then I’ll work on bringing in the pieces and putting the whole thing together?” I ask.
“Sure, follow me.”
She leads me to the most adorable little girls’ room I think I’ve ever seen. A unicorn mural covers the wall, and the rest of the room is a blank slate, ready for the daybed to make everything else work.
“I think I would have died and gone to heaven if this was my room as a kid.”
“Thanks! I can’t wait to see everything come together in here.” Her excitement permeates my worn-out brain, and I jump into action.
It takes me a little over an hour to bring all the pieces in and build it. Installing is easy, but since I’m only one person, I usually break the larger pieces down to manageable sizes so I can carry them on my own. Eventually, I’ll need to hire some helpers for deliveries. But today, I got it done.
“Oh my gosh, this is incredible,” Elise’s awed voice sounds from the doorway.
“I’m so glad you like it! Will you send me pictures after you add all the decorations? I would love to see the finished product.”
“Oh, absolutely! Thank you so much again, Rina. This is more than I could have ever imagined.” She abruptly gives me a hug, and I pull away slightly before hugging her back. This stranger’s comfort almost breaks me, but I hold strong. Instead, leaning into the hug, I try to hold back my emotions. A client sure as hell doesn’t need to see me break down. And I’m nothing if not the queen of shoving emotions down.
“Well, I’m glad you like it! I hope your daughter loves it, and call if you need anything else. ”
She walks me out, and I wave as I drive away.
Driving through the downtown area of Rosedale, I see the coffee shop and take a detour. If I go to Grind Time, I’ll have to talk to everyone. If I go to this coffee shop, I can just enjoy my solitude while being surrounded by people. A contradiction, but I don’t think I want to be alone at the moment.
Sipping my black coffee, I look around and people-watch. I wonder if anyone else feels like their world is crashing down around them. If anyone is so exhausted by their past that they just need a damn break.
The bell dings over the door, drawing my attention to it. Green eyes flash to mine, and I immediately recognize him from earlier in the week. I watch as he orders his coffee. He’s tall—not as tall as Arlo, but still taller than my own five eight. His blond hair is perfectly swooped to the side, and he’s wearing a T-shirt and jeans. He’s got a clean-cut surfer guy look to him, and it’s not unattractive.
He grabs his coffee and makes his way over to my table.
“Care for some company?” he asks in a gentle voice.
I offer up the spare chair wordlessly. I think about how much Arlo has and continues to hurt me, and suddenly this stranger doesn’t seem so bad.
“I’ve seen you in here before,” I say. Speaking first gives me the edge. I’m not even sure what I want from this man, but I do know I need control, regardless of the outcome.
“And I’ve seen you. Name’s Tyler.” He holds out his hand for me to shake, and I take it cautiously.
“Rina.”
“Pretty name.”
I roll my eyes at him. The blatant line won’t fly with me .
“What do you do that you’re able to just shoot the shit with a random woman in the middle of the day on a Thursday?” I ask in a bored tone.
“I’m a freelance illustrator. Make my own hours, so I can get coffee anytime I want.” He winks.
“Sounds interesting.” I take a sip of my coffee.
“It’s creatively fun, and it pays the bills. What do you do?”
“I build custom wood furniture.”
He arches an eyebrow, impressed, I’m assuming. Usually when I tell a man what I do, I count to five to see the second he gets intimidated and falls back from the conversation. It’s laughable, honestly. But Tyler seems more intrigued than anything.
“That’s unique.” I chuckle at his response. “How many pieces do you do in an average month?” he asks.
I tilt my head, trying to figure out what his angle is. “Depends on the pieces, but I’d say around ten.”
“Very impressive.” He sips his coffee.
“Thanks?” Maybe I’ve just been out of the flirting game for too long. Or maybe I’m too suspicious because of everything that just went down with Arlo.
“Listen, I’m just going to cut the bullshit. I think you’re gorgeous and would love to take you out on a date to learn more about you.”
I sit back, a little stunned at his blunt approach. I’m not sure if it’s him being straightforward or my need to throw Arlo a big fuck you, but I make a reckless decision.
“Dinner tomorrow night?” I ask.
“I know a great steakhouse on the outskirts of town,” he says.
“Great, I’ll meet you there. ”
He pulls out his phone and hands it to me with a new contact screen open. I add my details before texting myself from his phone.
“I look forward to tomorrow, Rina.” He stands as he smiles. A smile that tells me I responded exactly how he wanted me to.
I watch him walk out the door before pulling out my phone and adding his name to my contacts. The Rebound.
It takes a minute for what just happened to really hit me. I just got asked out… And I said yes.
What the fuck am I thinking? I’m not in any position to date. It’s one date, Rina, hardly a commitment . That may be true, but going out with a man because of a reaction to another is probably not a healthy way to cope with my shit.
Letting out a sigh, I stand up and make my way to my truck to head home. My lazy day needs a healthy dose of solitude, it seems.
I’ve had a successful lazy day. I’ve only gotten up to pee; everything else is piled up conveniently on my coffee table.
My phone pings, and I groan at whomever is interrupting my day. It’s not like they know, but it’s an inconvenience I’m not thrilled about, nonetheless.
Ledger:
Family dinner on Sunday? Whose house ?
I have to give big bro credit. Lennox doesn’t want to leave his cabin currently, so leaving it open gives Lennox the option to invite us over. I doubt he will, but it’s worth a try.
Willow:
We have options now?
Me:
I’m taking my house out of the mix, so that narrows it down for you.
Ledger:
Why do you hate people in your space? You have a huge house. Why did you buy it if you are there all by yourself?
Me:
Well, big bro, thank you so much for asking. I bought it because I could. I bought it so that I had space to do whatever the hell I wanted without all the busybodies in my business, including you.
Am I irrationally angry at the question purely because my head is still a mess because of Arlo? Possibly, but I don’t need this shit from my family, whatever the reason. I busted my ass for my land, house, and workshop. I don’t need to give anyone a reason why I need this much space. The simple answer is because I wanted it and I could.
Ledger:
Sorry. Overstepped on that one.
Me:
I’m being a dick, sorry.
Lennox:
You guys can come here if you bring the food.
Little bro breaking up Ledger and me by doing something he really doesn’t want to do hurts my heart a little. I know he wants normalcy, but I also feel like shit that we’re fighting over stupid shit when he has real battles to fight.
Willow:
You sure? You don’t have to. Hell, you don’t even have to come to family dinner if you don’t want to. I can always drop a plate off afterwards.
Lennox:
That’s sweet, Will, but I’m sure. There’s space, and it’s time to rejoin the chaos.
I chuckle at that. He absolutely doesn’t want to join the chaos, but hopefully getting back into a routine, even if he’s still staying in his cabin, will help him in some way. God, I hope it helps him.
Ledger:
Ainsley and I will bring the food. Thanks for hosting, Lenny.
Maybe this weekend is turning into something eventful. A date and family dinner with Lennox again? What else could possibly happen in my normally mundane life?