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“That’s good, sweet girl,” he praises, pressing his lips to my temple.
When we eventually break apart, an idea pops into my head. I totally forgot about it until now, but it’s perfect.
“My dad is going to be gone over the weekend. He goes on an annual trip to an auction house a few hours away. He has some friends nearby he stays with. It’s the one weekend I have to myself. But this year… I’d love to spend it with you.”
Huxley nods in a comically exaggerated way, making me laugh. “Hell yes, beautiful. Tell me when and where, and I’ll be there.”
“I usually close the store early on Saturday, around two in the afternoon. Then I’ll have the afternoon, evening, and all of Sunday available.”
Huxley surprises me by scooping me up in his arms and twirling me around. I catch a glimpse of his bearded friend, whose name I still don’t know. The man looks at us, grumbles something, and shakes his head, but I can’t bring myself to care.
“Okay, okay, my father might be coming back soon,” I tell him after several spins. Huxley reluctantly sets me down, only to press his lips to mine and bend me backward, keeping me steady with one hand spread across my back. It’s a cliché romance movie move, but I love it.
“If y’all are done with the PDA, I’d like to purchase some nails,” Huxley’s friend says.
Huxley growls, then returns me to an upright position so I can go back behind the register and ring everything up.
“I’m going to repay you the favor when you find a woman of your own,” Huxley says under his breath to his friend.
The man scoffs and shakes his head. “It’ll never happen.”
Huxley grins at his friend and claps him on the back. “Sure, buddy.”
I chuckle at the two of them, picturing them side-by-side in uniform, serving together. They’re a good match. I can see Huxley looking out for his friends. Who looks out for him, though? I hope soon it will be me.
The two men leave right as I hear my father’s car pull into the back lot. His breaks are squeaky, so it always gives me a little heads up for when he’s back home or has returned to the store after running an errand.
I gather the flowers, looking around the back room for an appropriate container. We don’t have any pretty vases or anything, even over at the house. We’ve never needed them.
I find a large tin can with a faded, vintage-looking label that matches the green and pink of my bouquet. I fill it with water, pleased that there aren’t any leaks.
No sooner do I place the flowers in the water than my father walks into the back room.
“Who the hell are those from?” he immediately asks.
Shoot. I didn’t even think about what to tell my father about Huxley’s gift.
“From a customer,” I reply, hating how easily the lie slipped off my tongue. I don’t like lying, especially about something, someone so important to me.
My dad gives me a skeptical look, one eyebrow raised in suspicion. “Am I going to have to cancel my trip this weekend?”
“No,” I assure him. “I’ll be fine. It’s not the first time you’ve left me alone. Plus, I’m an adult now, remember?”
“Don’t start with your attitude,” he says with a heavy sigh. He sounds so exhausted. I am, too. So, why do we keep doing this song and dance?
“I’m not trying to have an attitude,” I say in a softer tone. “I’m just reminding you that I’m old enough to vote, join the military, get married, and order a cocktail. I think I’m capable of spending the weekend at home.”
My father nods, though he looks between me and the bouquet several times before finally dropping the subject. I have a feeling we’ll be having a serious talk when he comes back from his weekend trip.
5
HUXLEY
Ipull into Gregg’s Hardware at one-forty-five, unable to wait a second longer to start my weekend with Jordan. I’ve been texting her over the last five days, which she replies to in bursts. It makes me think she’s uncomfortable having her phone out in front of her dad.
A rough growl sounds from the back of my throat as I picture my sweet Jordan being controlled and reprimanded by her father. Taking a deep breath, I try to let all of that go. We’ll need to address how her father is treating her soon, but right now, my priority is to give Jordan the best time of her life.
I need her to see that I can provide everything for her. She can spread her wings while knowing I’ll catch her if she falls. More than that, I’ll celebrate her wins and build up her confidence. God, I’m so far gone for this woman. I don’t know how much longer I can wait to make her mine for good.
