I love you.
God, she loved every gorgeous, infuriating bit of that man.
Angela sat, handing Rowan her tea and placed a plate of…three pastries and two cookies. “Don’t judge. I could lie and say I’m stress eating, but I won’t bother. I eat donuts for dinner on the regular.”
They both laughed. It looked like the extreme panic from earlier had passed. “I’d like to preface my solution with one demand. You have to send me new stock pics every season and ship anything I buy to Dublin free of charge.”
Angela grinned, “Done. What’s your solution?”
“Is Mr. Peterson the salesman who called you?”
“Yes. He felt terrible.”
“Okay. Call Mr. Peterson. Tell him we’ll meet him first thing in the morning at his store. You and I will leave this afternoon as soon as we can pack a bag. It’ll take a little under four hours to get to The Colony, Texas. We’ll check into a hotel close to the store and spend Wednesday picking out every single item, no matter how long it takes.
“That means we can only pick in-stock items, but you’ll remember, Nebraska Furniture Mart is a city unto itself. We will find everything. I understand you might feel bummed out that it won’t be your first pick, but there is always a chance you’ll like some of the things even better. After all, it will all be purchased in person. A lot of your pieces were chosen from pictures and websites.” When Angela just sat there blinking, an orange-glazed scone dangling from her fingertips, Rowan assured, “If you want to wait and simply reorder, I’d totally understand. I will stick around and help you reschedule your opening, no problem.”
Bursting into tears, Angela dropped the scone to grab Rowan’s hand. “I may not have to put off the opening. Oh my God, you aren’t just the most amazing designer but the most wonderful friend. I know I’ve been so extra about the opening, but it’s just…I really, really wanted to prove to myself that I cando something…do this. I want to show my husband that I’m not just a rich housewife. I’m a badass businesswoman.
“My husband does love me, but there have been times over the past few years that I’ve felt I’m no longer enough, just being me, you know.”
“Oh, Angela, whether this store is a success or a total failure, you need to understand that you are enough. Just you. I imagine your husband would agree. After all, you might not have noticed him staring at you in absolute devotion every time he dropped by, but I sure as hell did.” Angela’s eyes flared with hope. “So, does that mean we’re going with my road trip plan?”
“Hell yes, it does! Text me your address, and I’ll pick you up in,” she paused to consult her watch, “two hours. And thank you, Rowan. Really. Thank you.”
“I should thank you. Your store is going to be so amazing. I’ll probably get a ton of work because of it,” Rowan grinned, both women laughing as they left the bakery.
Rain check? I’m on my way to Jo’s to pack my things and then to your moms to pack a new bag. Total catastrophe with Angela’s furniture. Going to a furniture store in The Colony, Texas, to rebuy everything. Should be home by Thursday afternoon.
Let me know when you get to Moms. I’ll come.
You don’t have to do that.
Let me see you, Row.
Okay.
18
Hugh let himself into his mother’s home. Mom and Tina were in the living room watching a World War II documentary. He paused just outside the room. “Tina. Mom.”
“Oh, good to see you, Hugh.” Tina smiled, eyes twinkling. She probably knew everything there was to know about his personal life.
“Son,” his mother acknowledged, eyebrows raised in question.
“I’m here to see Rowan before she leaves town.”
If his mother was surprised, she didn’t show it. “I’m glad. I wish she didn’t have to drive.”
“Yes.” And before he chickened out, he asked, “Would you be available to run an errand with me Thursday morning? I’ll take you to Wolves for lunch after.” Hugh had an appointment with a jeweler. Christ, he started sweating at the thought. He was looking at stones for a ring. For Rowan. An engagement ring. He wanted his mom’s opinion. Jesus, he barely recognized himself these past weeks.
Mom gave him a shrewd look. She couldn’t possibly know what he was up to, but maybe she did. Parents had superpowerswhere their children were concerned. Hugh had always been able to sniff out any subterfuge his boys attempted from ten miles away.
“I would love to.”
“Fine,” Hugh replied stiffly before heading back to Rowan’s room, where soft music could be heard through the closed door. He recognizedJust a Dreamby Nelly. He shook his head. Mozart was probably queued next. Rowan was unpredictable. That made him smile as he tapped on her door softly, aware his mother had purposefully turned the television volume down to make sure she didn’t miss anything.
When Rowan pulled the door in, his heart hammered at seeing her again. It was the first time since he’d taken her phone and made an ass out of himself. She opened the door wider, a silent invitation to enter. He knew Rowan loved him. She’d never lie, but he had hurt her and embarrassed her, and he was still unsure of where they currently stood.
