“It’s perfect.” She planted a soft kiss to my lips.
In the living room we enjoyed our food with the tv on mute. And Willa talked my head off. That was another thing I liked about her. She was never at a loss for words while I, on the other hand, was always searching for the right words to say. She’d talk, I’d listen and nod in agreement. If she was happy, then I’d done my job.
“Are you good? Do you need more blue cheese?” I asked.
“I’m great, this is delicious.”
“It’s just Farm Basket.”
“Well maybe it’s more the company than the food.”
“Oh yeah, you like my company?” I licked my lips.
“I do when you’re around.”
“What do you mean? I’m always around.”
“You don’t return my calls, you pretend not to be home when I drop by.”
“I work late a lot.” That was a lie. I was home, but just not up for company. I’m a call first type of dude. Don’t just show up unannounced because it will be a wasted trip.
“I don’t mind chasing, Edison, but at some point you have to slow down.”
Why was everyone trying to get me to settle?
“You and I both know you haven’t had to chase a man a day in your life.”
Willa smirked. That woman could be engaged tomorrow if she’d just kick me to the curb. Willa Barlowe was the type of woman any mother would be thrilled to introduce as her daughter-in-law. She was friendly, helpful, and smart. Everyone liked her. In high school she was a bit of a mean girl, but like most teenagers she’d changed. Take me for instance, I used to be considered a nerd in school because I was always reading books about agronomy and plant pathology.
In college I got a degree in horticulture science. Growing up in the nursery, plant propagation, nutrition, and preservation were my passions. I was never much of a people person. I had a robust friend group but my social battery died quicker than others. Which is why, outside of my family, I was known by my friends as the guy who went MIA for weeks at a time, only to pop back up like I’d never left.
“Guess who I saw at the post office today?”
“Who?”
“Guess? You’ll never.”
I fucking hated guessing games. “Honestly I don’t know.”
“You’re no fun.” Willa pouted.
“Okay, Kane?” I hoisted a careless shoulder.
“Eww no. Fancy Palmer.”
I diverted my eyes in an attempt to conceal any hint of interest. “Oh yeah.”
“Yeah, she was with her momma. Dressed super basic, just a T-shirt and shorts and her hair …” Willa laughed at a joke inside her head. “I said hi and she acted like she didn’t know who I was. She was squinting and looking at me all weird. It took her a minute, but then she was like, “Willa, how are you?”
“I’m sure she didn’t mean anything by it.”
“Maybe. Not going to lie, it was kind of trippy seeing her in person. Now that her songs are playing on the radio station twenty-four seven, it’s almost like her growing up in Hume was a fever dream.”
“Our homegrown superstar.”
“Shit if I was as famous as her, I’d never step foot in this town again.”
My brows twitched toward one another. “Why?”
