Page 62 of Seale the Deal

I snort. For sure. Though I’m glad that she didn’t bring any of her home baking. I pat my stomach. It’s starting to show.

He pffts as he brings his mug to his lips. It’s showing about as much as a polar bear in a blizzard.

After another sip of coffee, he nods toward me. Speaking of home things, how are things at yours?

Uh… fine.

He gives me a teasing smirk. I bet they are. Then he sighs, looking faintly nostalgic. I remember when me and Lucy got engaged. We couldn’t keep our hands off each other. He shakes his head. And we didn’t even have to deal with long distance the way you two did. Honestly, I’m surprised you wanted to pick up extra shifts.

I shrug and force my attention back to the paperwork. Money.

I can think of something better than money, Darrell says with a knowing twitch of his eyebrows.

I don’t know what to say to that, so I just make a noncommittal grunt that he can interpret how he likes. It’s my preferred strategy when anyone starts talking about my sex life.

Why don’t you head out early, he says. Last cruise ship already cleared out, so the majority of issues that come in are gone with them. He nods toward me with his coffee mug. Go spend some time with that fiancée of yours.

I look at the time. Quarter to four.

The thing is, normally, going home early wouldn’t have meant much. If anything, I would’ve rejected the idea because go home to what? Clean my gun? Reorganize my freezer? But the idea of showing up at the fabric store and picking up Wrenley puts something warm in my chest.

Yeah, I say. After I finish this report, I think I will.

Darrell gives me another conspiratorial smile before disappearing back into his office.

I finish the report, answer two e-mails, and try not to notice how much of a hurry I’m in. It’s not like Wrenley is waiting around for me. She’s likely been elbow-deep in costumes all day, and she knows how to get back to the house herself, but now the idea of picking her up, spending more time with her, has settled into my body like an itch I need to scratch.

I head to my truck, the cool fall air biting against my face as I climb inside. The clock changes to four just as I start the engine. Fabric Delights isn’t far—nothing in this town is—but somehow, the drive feels longer than usual.

I pull up outside the storefront to find Audrey locking the door while talking to Wrenley. And Wrenley… she’s smiling a huge, bright smile as she replies.

Audrey spots me first and waves as I put the truck in park. I reach for the door handle, then stop because when Wrenley looks up and meets my eyes through the windshield, her smile widens, and God. She is just so damn beautiful.

Hi, babe, I say as I walk over.

I slide an arm around her waist and press a quick kiss to her cheek. She reacts just slightly, but I still notice.

This is a surprise, she says.

Got off early. I nod toward the general direction of my house. Thought I’d pick you up.

Audrey presses two hands to her chest. I remember when my husband used to pick me up, she sighs dreamily. Now, a quick peck that lasts longer than a second when I walk through the door feels like romance. She looks between us. Sometimes I miss that young love.

Wrenley makes a choking sound. I keep my face carefully neutral, even as something close to amusement tugs at the corner of my mouth.

It’s special, I say. But we should probably get going.

Thank you for today, Wrenley, Audrey says with a wave.

Bye!

I guide Wrenley to my truck, keeping my arm around her waist.

Thanks for picking me up, she says once I open the passenger door. I have to let go of her to do it, and the sudden absence of her against my side feels strangely noticeable. But I could’ve just met you at home, she adds.

Yeah.

So why’d you come get me?