Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80821 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 404(@200wpm)___ 323(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80821 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 404(@200wpm)___ 323(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
“Fuck. Come’ere.” Archer pulls East into his arms. While East gives this look that tries to convey Archer’s being silly, there’s not a doubt in my mind that he wants to be exactly where he is and that he needs the affection Archer shows him.
“Get a room,” I tease, then look around for a bag filled with a few more supplies. “I have to run out to my truck to get something. Can the two of you hold down the fort until I get back?”
“I think we can manage.” Archer kisses East’s temple, then pulls away.
I put on my coat, beanie, and gloves, and as I head for the door, East says, “Thank you…for inviting Rhett. He needs that.”
East’s gaze catches mine, and I give him a simple nod.
The thing is, I can tell Rhett needs it, and maybe that’s why I threw a snowball at him or appreciated Meadow asking about having dinner with him. But he’s also just interesting to me. I spent my whole life thinking Rhett Swift was one thing—confident, cocky, a jerk sometimes, but also professional, someone who wants to lead and be in charge—and now I have a feeling I was wrong, at least about some of those things.
I make my way outside. The missing bag is on the floorboard of my truck’s cab. I grab it and head back, when I see a familiar vehicle parked alongside the building. It could be a different truck, but somehow, I know it’s not, and though I’m freezing my balls off, I start toward it.
Sure enough, Rhett is sitting in the driver’s seat, early for the party and waiting. He notices me and frowns, watching as I walk to the passenger door, open it, and climb in. “It’s cold as fuck out there.”
“What are you doing?”
“I could ask you the same thing.”
“I didn’t want to go in too early. I hardly think there’s anything odd about that.”
No, there’s not, not really, but knowing Rhett, there’s more to the story. “East and Archer are inside. We’re finishing the decorations. You’re welcome to join us.”
My gaze scans the inside of his truck before it lands on the back cab and the pile of professionally wrapped gifts, all in the same pink paper. “Are those all for Meadow?” They can’t be, can they?
“It’s not a big deal,” he says in a snippy voice that tells me he’s offended.
That wasn’t my intention, and again, it was nice of him to do this for her, but that’s not why we wanted him here. And there are at least six gifts back there. “I appreciate it, and that’s very nice of you, but it’s a lot, Rhett. She invited you because she likes you. You didn’t have to do all that.”
“I didn’t know what to get her.” He looks out the driver’s side window.
“So you bought her everything?” I try for a joke, but it doesn’t land.
“I went to the sewing store.”
“The one that’s two hours away?” Holy shit. I’m speechless. I can’t deny that Meadow is a bit spoiled, but this is a lot.
“I asked for help, and the woman kept giving me recommendations, and I kept adding them to the cart.” His gaze flits toward the back. “Now that I think about it, maybe I got swindled.”
I laugh. “I think maybe you did. What’s the biggest one?”
He closes his eyes and shakes his head. “A mannequin. Maybe she has one…probably does, but I was thinking she could use it for the clothes she makes.” He sighs, and I can see him closing down, pulling away in this distant way I used to think Rhett was. Now I’m not so sure. “It’s nothing,” he says curtly.
“It’s not nothing.” It’s maybe one of the sweetest things I’ve ever seen. I reach over, put my hand on his arm. “Thank you for being good to her. For caring about her. That means a lot to me.” More than I can say, really. Rhett is…not who or what I thought he was, and I want to know more.
“She’s a good kid.”
“Yeah, she is. The best. She likes you too, and if Meadow decides someone is good people, then they are.”
He looks at my hand on his arm, and I pull away.
“Sorry.”
Rhett clears his throat. “It’s fine.”
“How about you choose two of those gifts and return the rest?”
“Three,” he counters, and I chuckle.
“Deal. You drive a hard bargain, Rhett Swift. But since I agreed with three, that means you have to come in now with me. Not hiding in the truck.”
“I’m not hiding,” he scoffs, then adds, “Does she have a mannequin?”
“She does, but two wouldn’t hurt. Then she can work on two outfits at once.”
He nods, turns off the truck, and we get out. Rhett grabs three packages, and I get my bag.
“Did you get them professionally wrapped?” I ask, eyeing the perfect ribbons.