“Yeah.” I exhale softly as I say, “How are you feeling?”
“You’re not okay. What’s wrong?”
“I’m good, really. I just… I wish you were here.”
“I am, practically.” She moves the camera to show me the sparkling gold dress she wore for the occasion. “Just don’t expect me to do much dancing tonight, okay? I’m staying off my feet for a while.”
This gets a grin out of me, which feels good.
“No dancing, got it.” I nod and grab another cookie from the basket, white chocolate chunk this time. Every bite is better than the one before. “How are you feeling?”
“No, we’re not doing that right now. It’syourday. How areyoufeeling, peanut? For real.”
“Really?” I sigh, stuffing another bite of the cookie into my mouth. “I wish you were here to do all the mom things, and I’m pissed that Nathan set all this up so you couldn’t come. I don’t know if he’s the right guy for me, Mom.”
“He didn’t set this up so I couldn’t come. He set this up so you two would have a beautiful wedding.” There’s a heavy pause on the line before she speaks, the only sound filling the room coming from the air conditioner. “Is this about me, or is this about that big, tattooed guy from that picture you posted online last week?” She sighs as she says, “We all get tempted by a bad boy, peanut. That’s okay. You’re stressed. I’m sure a wild night out sounds fun, but you can’t build a life with a man like that.”
“What?” I gasp. “You mean Rhett?” I shake my head and deny any attraction to the giant covered in ink, though he is clearly an attractive man. Dark grayish beard, big muscles, rough hands. If you’re into the hard-working type, Rhett is your guy. “Mom, no. He’s…” I sigh, my cheeks heating. “He got my number off the flyer I put up in the hardware store. He wanted some help painting a few rooms.”
“Then why did you post a picture with him?”
“When I told him I was out of work, he took a picture of us and posted it online as an attempt to promote my little side gig.” I shrug. “It was no big deal, but it really pissed Nathan off. I guess he’s got bad blood with the guy. It’s too bad because Rhett seems to know everyone. I think I could’ve made some easy money and maybe gotten my name out there.”
“So, you’re not doing the job anymore?”
I shake my head and stare down at the floor, then up again as I hold the phone out in front of me. “No. It’s fine, though. I’ll figure it out.”
“If I were you, I’d go see the bad boy about the paint job, anyway. You’re trying to start a business. Connections are important.”
“They are,” I say, heart thumping as I try to forget the conversation Rhett and I had last week. I was dropping off some paint samples, and he noticed how tired I looked.
Nathan never notices how tired I look. In fact, he doesn’t notice when I change anything at all. I know I shouldn’t have sunk into the conversation with Rhett, but I did. I did, and all the sudden three hours went by, and he knew way too many of my feelings, and I knew way too many of his.
The worst part is it felt good. So good that I went home and fantasized about him. About him holding me, touching me… doingthingsto me.
I stuff the rest of the cookie into my mouth and recenter my gaze on the screen, jamming down the myriad of sexual thoughts I’ve been having about a man I’ve known for less than a few weeks.
Clearly, this whole thing is exactly what Nikki said it was… cold feet.
“You look gorgeous, peanut. You’re just burnt out. When people get burnt out, they have a hard time with decisions. I’ve always known you as a strong, independent woman. That’s why you want this painting business. Don’t let anyone get in your way, not even your husband.” She winks, the wrinkle beside her nose crinkling. “I’ll be watching. Love you so much.”
“Love you more, Mom.”
The line disconnects, and I go into game mode.
This is it. I have to go downstairs now.
No more calls.
No more cookies.
No more interruptions.
I’m going to do this.
I’m going to marry Nathan.
He’s rough, but he’s a good man.
