Chapter 27
I wake up the next morning feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day, despite only getting about five hours of sleep. Falling head over heels for a girl will do that to a guy. I pop out of bed and get a pot of coffee going before my dad even wakes up. I scramble some eggs and make toast to go with it since we’re out of bacon. When my dad finally pads into the kitchen half an hour later, he gives me this incredulous look.
“Son, have you gone crazy?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I ask as I set two plates on the kitchen table and divide the eggs and toast between them. “Coffee’s ready.”
His lips press into a flat line. He pours himself a cup of coffee and then joins me at the table. “Son, are you in some kind of trouble and this is your way of buttering me up before you break the news?”
I laugh. “Nope. Just felt like making breakfast.”
Because my life is fucking awesome now that I have the attention of the greatest girl ever.
“All right, guess I won’t argue with that,” Dad says, diving into his food. “Should be an easy day today because we got all the new inventory stocked last week. I do have a couple of guys coming in to buy surfboards, so that’ll bring in some good money.”
“Cool,” I say, taking a sip of coffee. I wonder if it’s too early to call Bess? Obviously it is. But I wish I could. I miss her voice, her smile, everything. Damn, I am falling hard.
The only downside to our wonderful night together after the barn incident is how she shoved me away so quickly. I’m trying not to let it get to me, because I know the girl likes me. She’s probably just following the advice of her girlfriends and making me work for it. That’s fine with me, of course. I’ll work as hard as it takes.
After breakfast, I take a fast shower and get dressed for work, once again thanking the universe for giving me a job where regular summer clothes are the same as a work outfit. Before I leave, I pop my head into Abigail’s room.
“You coming with me to the store?”
She rolls over in bed, her hair all tangled around her head. “Will any of your hot friends be there?”
I think of Bryce, and how he’ll be escorted out of the store of he even tries to step foot inside after the shit he pulled. And Colby is still out of the country, and those are the two friends she’s talking about. “No, but your life doesn’t have to revolve around guys who are too old for you,” I say.
She blows a raspberry and rolls back over, pulling the covers up to her head. “No, thank you. Boys are life.”
With a snort, I let her go back to sleep. On the drive to work, I keep glancing over at the empty passenger seat, remembering how damn perfect it was when Bess was sitting there. Today at work, I plan on coming up with the perfect romantic date for us. I’ve never been much of a romance guy, but I’m older and wiser and more in love than I’ve ever been, so it’s time to become a romance guy.
I know Bess likes science stuff and exploring museums, so I rack my brain trying to think of a way to make that into a fun date, but all of the museums close before we get off work. I spend most of my morning playing on the work computer at the front counter, looking up places to take her, but nothing seems to work out.
Then I stalk her Instagram feed again, trying to find pictures of things she likes, hoping it’ll spark a romantic date idea. She has so many pictures of Missy, her cat, and it makes my heart hurt. She really loved her cat, and now she’s gone. It was so sweet when she was telling me about Missy during one of our emails. I keep thinking that a girl who loves an animal that much would probably love a person even more.
My phone buzzes and it lights up that mushy part in my chest that’s been dying to hear from her.
Bryce:you at work? I’m gonna come by
My jaw clenches. Bryce is seriously the dumbest asshat alive. I check the time—nine in the morning—and decide that I’ll just have to text Bess and hope she’s awake soon. She’s lucky and has the day off work today, which is terribly unlucky for me because I don’t get to see her on my lunch break. But first, I have to get rid of this asshole.
Josh:You’re not allowed here anymore, not after the shit you pulled with my girlfriend.
Bryce:Girlfriend? Wtf dude? A fuck buddy is one thing, but girlfriend?
Josh:Go fuck yourself. I’m done being your friend.
After a few deep breaths to calm my rage, I text Bess but she doesn’t reply right away. She’s probably still sleeping, and the mental image of her in bed makes my heart flutter and my pants tighten. I’d really love to be snuggled under the sheets with her right now.
The next time my phone goes off, it’s an international call from my best friend.
“Colby,” I say, answering the phone with a shit ton of enthusiasm. “What’s going on?”
“What’s got you so happy?” he says with a laugh.
“I met a girl. And she fits every item on my list, which means she’s perfect.”
“Nice. I want to meet her when I get back, okay?”
