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“That sounds great, Mama R.” Daphne smiles, and a sliver of envy rises. How long has it been since she fixed that smile on me? I clear my throat.
“You two be good to each other,” Mom warns as she wraps an arm around Brax’s shoulder and guides him out. The door shuts, and I step around her to lock it. The click is loud in the silent room.
“I’m here. What do you want to do?”
“How are you doing today, Daph?”
She blinks. “I’m good. How are you?”
“Better now that you’re here. I was worried you might not show up.”
“This is business, not pleasure, New.”
“Who says it can’t be both?” I tilt my head to the side. “I meant what I said about fixing things. How about we start with a walk-through of the store. You tell me what you like and may want to keep. Then we’ll talk about what changes we can make and go from there?” I switch the topic to keep her from shooting me down. I can sense the apprehension and mistrust pouring off her in waves.
“That sounds like a good starting place.” I sweep the air in front of me, gesturing for her to lead the way. Her face relaxes, and she smiles. “This place hasn’t changed a bit.”
“Why are you interested in buying Pages?”
“A book store has always been my goal. The book-themed coffee shop was meant to be a waiting place. It was a compromise I had with James. I love coffee, but books were my future. It’s why I have a business major with a minor in English.” Her entire face lights up as she speaks. Her eyes brighten, and the heaviness surrounding her aura moments earlier disappears.
“Pages was always a refuge. It was a safe place to escape reality, learn about things that interested me, and visit new places for nothing. It let me dream and imagine what could be. That’s important in a town this small.”
“We always knew you were bound for more than Sugar Hills.”
She turns to face me. “What do you mean?”
“Most of us had our plans laid out. Between ranches, family businesses, and our love for this town, most of us knew we weren’t going too far for too long.” I shake my head.
“I love Sugar Hills.” She places her hands on her hips.
“Yes, but you wanted to see what's out there. Your eyes would light up just talking about it. Hell, you had a list.”
“You remember that?” she asks with a light in her eyes.
“I have everything I’ve ever known about you stored away, Daph.”
“Oh.” Her lips form an O. I can’t help but wonder what they’d look wrapped around my cock. I want to see her dark pink lipstick smeared across swollen lips.
“Did you ever fill that wish list, Daphe?”
“I. No.” she smiles sadly and shrugs. “I was too busy trying to get the business off the ground and keep it running.”
“I never would’ve let you set that list aside.”
“New.”
“You always put everyone before yourself.” I tuck a hunk of her hair behind her ears. “It's why you need someone who makes sure your needs are being met.”
“I do that for myself now.” She angles her body away from me.
“Do you?” I lift an eyebrow.
“Yes.” Her sassy response makes me chuckle.
“I do.”
“I don’t doubt you, darling. I just know you shouldn’t have to.”
