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The only things that weren’t new were her father’s old recliner, the antique coffee table that had been her grandmother’s, and the wall of photos that her friends must have pulled out of storage.
Tears blurred her vision. “I can’t accept any of this.”
Dustin squatted down and lowered his voice so only she could hear. “I’d told Kelly to give my bonus and commission to you because you’ve done most of the work and you deserve it.”
Rylie’s eyes widened. “But that’s not true!”
He covered her fluttering hands with his. “I don’t need the money, Rylie, but you do. So, technically, you bought all the furniture. Since she’d already cut me the check, instead of handing the money over, I furnished your house.”
“I… I don’t know what to say.”
“How about…thank you, Dustin.”
What she wanted to do was throw her arms around him and kiss him with everything she’d been holding in her heart, but she couldn’t. Especially not in front of a room full of people.
“Thank you, Dustin,” she whispered. Clearing her throat past the lump of emotion, she added loudly, “This is amazing. Thank you. This is the best surprise I’ve ever had.”
“A bonus surprise is Raider is in your bedroom, taking a nap in his crate. He was a little overwhelmed by all the strangers, so I gave him a calming tablet,” Tayler said.
Rylie’s eyes filled with tears and she sniffled. “This is so nice!”
“You deserve better than nice, Rylie,” Dustin said softly.
Her hands gripped Dustin’s and she didn’t want to let go. “Thank you.”
“What are friends for?”
She stared into his deep blue eyes, searching for something more. This week, she’d thought maybe there’d been a growing intimacy and closeness, but he hadn’t tried anything. Even his pervy comments had been at a minimum.
But if there was really nothing between them, then why was he being so generous to her? He didn’t even offer breakfast to his sex partners…Victoria hadn’t been shy about sharing that.
“Come on, I want to show you the rest,” Marley said, holding out her hand.
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Dustin frowned. “I don’t think she should be walking.”
Marley huffed at him. “The stitches have had four days and she was hobbling around yesterday. Don’t be such a mother hen.”
Dustin got up from the couch with a sigh. “I’ll get her crutches from the car.”
“I think I’ll be okay. I can limp,” Rylie said.
Rylie let Marley help her to her feet despite Dustin’s protests, and leaned on her friend as they explored the kitchen. She couldn’t wait to see the rest of it.
The kitchen was big enough to cook comfortably without banging her elbow on something and the stainless-steel appliances were new, except for the mixer that sat on the counter next to the fridge. Rylie calculated the expense in her head and knew that Dustin’s bonus in no way covered all the furniture plus appliances. She was going to have to pay him back; there was just no other way.
The light-colored cupboards and daisy wallpaper were new and complemented the oak table with four chairs that sat in the breakfast nook. The little dining area sat before three large windows with gauzy yellow curtains drawn over them.
“It’s perfect.”
Marley squeezed her arm, and whispered, “Dustin planned everything and we all got together this week when we could. All the Something Borrowed girls put up the wallpaper and Dustin, Charlie, and Luke updated the cabinet doors. I have to admit, there might be more to him than just a manwhoring asshat.”
Rylie giggled. “That’s a big concession coming from you.”
“I was just happy he was there for you.” Marley’s expression darkened as she added, “And I’m glad you finally got that restraining order on Asher.”
Rylie nodded. The police hadn’t been able to prove he was the one who’d thrown the brick, but Dustin and Luke had convinced her that at least the RO would give them more to work with.
