AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Linked snugly with her family, Phoebe managed a small smile, but she wasn’t able to muster up a nod.
––––––––
~oOo~
––––––––
After that talk, Vin started on dinner, Margot went up to make some calls, and Phoebe sat down and worked on editing the day’s footage. Her head felt trapped in a vise, and she could not have been in less of a mood to make a cutesy video of the animals enjoying their new toys, or recording her own stupid face looking happy and grateful while Lydia Copperman was trying to destroy the ranch and everything Phoebe had in the world. However, she needed to keep her patrons and followers engaged and invested. Especially since somebody was actively trying to disengage her patrons.
She missed Duncan.
That thought drew her up so short she fucked up a splice in her edit. Giving her pounding head a brisk shake, she went back and fixed her mess.
No, she fucking did not miss Duncan. Mr. ‘I don’t know if I want to fuck all the women or just you.’ He’d been honest about it, so he wasn’t technically an asshole, but he was definitely a player, definitely immature, definitely not ready for anything remotely real. Anyway, even if he was ready for something real, the very last thing she needed right now was that kind of distraction and complication.
Why would she even think she missed him? Because he was good in bed? Hardly. Yes, he was, but getting her rocks off would not solve a single one of her problems.
No, it wasn’t that.
But he had made her feel safe and protected. He had helped her out of a crisis. Or two.
That was it—she missed him because she was in another crisis.
She missed him because she wanted him to save her again.
Oh holy shit.
Fuck that sideways and into the ground.
“Hey, Bee,” Vin said behind her.
Phoebe looked over her shoulder. The living room had gone dark around the circle of light from the desk lamp and computer screen. Vin stood in the wide entrance to the room, backlit by the light coming from the kitchen. Her vision had gone wonky from being on the computer too long, and with a migraine, so her friend’s outline wavered and hopped.
“Hey,” she said, rubbing her eyes. “Supper ready?”
“Still in the oven.” He came in and sat in his recliner. “I had a thought.”
“Okay.”
“In case we need to repair that roof quick, I know where we can get some money. You know my people back home don’t have a lot, but they got the restaurant. My mama said part of it’s mine, and if I ever need it, to let her know—”
“No, Vin,” Phoebe said before he could finish. “I know that, but I also know you mean never to take that money. It would mean your family losing the restaurant.”
“I don’t know if that’s true. They been havin’ some good years lately. They might be able to help without hitting the restaurant. I could ask.”
“No. That’s your family, and your back-up if you need it. I’m not going to let my mess make a mess for your family. I’m just lucky you’re here with me and not back home.”
He grinned. “I’d just be in the way, with this leg. Shit moves fast at Byen Veni Café. This is more my speed, right here.”
Vin always had a bit of a Creole lilt to his speech, but when he spoke of his family, his accent sank waist-deep into the bayou. Phoebe grinned, and it felt good. “I love you, Ervin.”
He reached out and caught her hand. “I love you, Bumblebee. We’re gonna be okay.”
She brought his hand to her mouth and kissed his knuckles.
She didn’t believe him, but his presence eased her heart a little nonetheless.
