Page 53 of One Last Thing Before You Go

“No, it’s not that. I know he isn’t anything like Finn. There doesn’t seem to be a bad bone in his body. It’s just…” A groan from Lottie.

He gasps. “Oh, shit. You actually like him. It’s not just some crush. That’s why you won’t date the guy.”

I hold my breath, waiting for her answer.

“We’ll hook up and then, once everything is over with the sale, he’ll either go back home or… or want more. And you and I both know I can’t give him more. Not now, not ever. That’s what’s stopping me. Either way, I end up with a broken heart. So what’s the damn point of it all?”

So this is about her? Not me?

I want to bust through the office door, to start demanding some answers nearly overwhelms me. But I stop myself just in time because I know I’ll never come back from that if I do.

“I get what you’re saying, Lottie. But I also think you’re getting ahead of yourself. To be honest, you don’t know whether he’d want more. And despite his young age,” they laugh softly, “he’s a big boy who can make his own decisions. It looks like he’s willing to enter into something despite not living here. So I think you’re getting ahead of yourself, sis.”

“I don’t know…”

“Just have fun. Enjoy life while you have a gorgeous twenty-something year old man who looks more like a tatted-up Greek God than anything else who’s interested in you.”

She laughs once, followed by a sniffle. “What?”

“It’s just nice. Seeing you like this over a guy again. Especially over one who looks like he would worship at your feet.” She snorts, but I’m pretty sure I’m close to doing so, if we’re being honest. “Seriously. I just hope you don’t ruin this by letting your baggage get in the way.”

“My baggage won’t get in the way, because there’s nothing to get in the way of. I told you. The plan is simple: renovate this store, sell it, and get the hell out of Dodge.”

He sighs deeply, and I can hear the chair creak as he sits back in it, exasperated.

“Let’s change the subject,” she says. “I don’t want to talk about him anymore.”

Shit. Is that it? I’m not getting anything else? What am I supposed to do with that information? Besides the part about her thinking she’s the problem, I didn’t overhear anything I didn't already know.

Frustrated, I decide this is my cue to make myself known. I quietly back up down the hallway before turning back toward the office, stomping loud enough for them to hear me. “Shh! I think he’s coming,” she whispers to him.

“Hey, you guys are still here,” I say innocently enough as I step into the office.

“Yeah, we were just wrapping up. How was your shower?” she asks. Lottie winces. “Shit, that was really weird of me to ask. Sorry.”

I laugh softly, because I've never seen anything more adorable than a mortified Lottie.

“It’s fine. And good. It may have been the best I have ever taken in my life.”

“That’s probably due to the fact that you must've washed away a thick layer of wood chips, dust, and sweat.” A wide smile spreads across her face, the sight of it bringing one to my own.

“Ew, Lottie. No.” Daniel gives her a look.

“No, she’s right.” I laugh. “Maybe that’s what made it amazing.” I wink at her, and she immediately stops laughing. Lottie clears her throat, cheeks flushing, and looks to her brother, quietly asking for help.

“Er, so, Knox. You have any plans tonight?”

“No,” I say, looking between Daniel and Lottie. “What about you guys?”

“Well, I have a date with my husband and my two girls at the movie theater a couple of towns over.” He gets up from his seat and gathers up all the documents, slipping them into his briefcase. “I am in for a wild night of Paw Patrol.”

“Exciting.” I grin at him. “What about you, Lottie?”

I wait anxiously for her reply, the three seconds it takes for her to do so feeling more like hours. Is this my in? Is this how I get her to say yes to me? If I ask her to go on a date with me tonight, right now, will she say yes?

“I-I'm actually having dinner with the girls,” she says a bit nervously.

Daniel’s face falls. “Oh, right. I forgot tonight was your⁠—”