How would Jackson know anything about Remy’s eyes? I was already devoting too much time thinking about Remy, and Jackson’s comments were confusing me.
“Oh, so you’ve met him and he looked long and hard at you and made your legs quake and your brain turn to mush?”
“No. But he left something behind when he was in the showroom. Part of himself.”
I put my hand over my ears, because whatever it was, I didn’t want to know. It sounded gross, and whatever it was, our cleaner better scrub all evidence of it away tonight.
“Let’s talk about something else, like should I send him a gift?” Did people send “thank you for having dinner with me” presents?
“Did he do something you’re grateful for?”
“Yes.” I grinned. “He exists, and thanks to you messing up, he came into my life.”
Jackson harrumphed. “So why aren’t you giving me something special? I’m the one who brought you together.”
I made a face. “You’re my friend. That’s it. I don’t want anything else from you.”
He snorted with laughter. “Got it.”
I had an idea for a gift, and grabbing my phone, I went outside so Jackson couldn’t hear me. He pressed his ear to the glass, and I gave him the finger. With the traffic noise and passersby, he’d have to read my lips to figure out the conversation.
“Happy now?” I asked as I walked back in.
Jackson was at the computer in his office, and I was about to go into the workshop whichwasmy happy place. “Happy for what?”
“Ummm. I’ve come up with the perfect gift for Remy.”
But before I strolled into the workshop, I snuck back into the office.
“What’s the magic formula? You said Remy likes me? How can you be so sure? Does his scent contain a coded message?”
“The guy had dinner with you in a showroom and didn’t bolt.”
Was it so odd that our date took place here? Probably. This was the center of my world, but to others, it was just a furniture showroom. Shit. I may have come off as a cheapskate for having our first date in my work space. But I kept coming back to the word “quirky” and how the present I was going to send Remy was in the same vein.
Spending a couple of hours shaping and crafting wood for the bedroom set put me in a better mood. The walnut was behaving,which wasn’t guaranteed. It could be unpredictable near a knot. The grain could shift without warning and the grain would tear out under the plane.
Sawdust had crept into every crevice, and I took a shower in the workshop bathroom. I was sparkly clean when I got a message about the gift.
Just for you because I love you. Pick it up around 4 tomorrow.
My friend Zara included a pic of the half-finished item, and I couldn’t wait to send it to Remy. It'd be better if I delivered it myself, but I was a little wary after he pulled away during the dinner.
I was at Zara’s by three-thirty, and she waved me inside, as she had her sewing machine by the window. Zara made the cushions, bedspreads, tablecloths, and napkins we used in the showroom.
“The message gets straight to the point.” She held up the two napkins I’d ordered.
Seeing the words spelled out in the fabric, I had second thoughts. Perhaps I was being too forward and Remy might not appreciate my humor. But if that happened, I’d know for sure that he was reluctant to pursue a relationship. He’d been so flirty on that first phone call. Maybe because he assumed we’d never meet.
But he came looking for me. I didn't seek him out, much as I wanted to. Maybe that was a game he played, and when the other person got too close, he pulled away, fearing commitment.
I thanked Zara and paid and headed to the post office. But as I sat outside, I remembered Remy had said he was going to be out today. That was unusual, as he usually worked from home. Instead of mailing the napkin, I went next door and bought a gift bag.
On the drive to Remy’s, my mind zigged and zagged. Should I or shouldn’t I leave the bag on his doorstep as opposed to mailing it? And was what I’d asked Zara to sew on the fabric a mistake? Too risqué?
I parked outside and his car wasn’t there. But I sat behind the wheel, dithering, when I should have been in the workshop, getting on with the bed frame.
A neighbor came to their door and gave me a look. I had to make a decision or they might call the police. What would I say? That I had a massive crush on the guy in this house? They’d ask why I hadn’t knocked or called.
