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I bit my lip. Would he have asked me if Lena hadn't told him to? I shook my head, dispelling my thoughts. Why was I overthinking this?
"And to sweeten the offer, after the party finishes, we can go back to my place. I figured out a few more ways to entertain you."
I did a little happy dance right there in the supply room and hit my elbow against a stack of metal plastic bowls. They tumbled to the floor.
“What happened? Are you hurt?” he asked sharply.
“No, I just knocked into some water bowls.” I bent to pick them up. “So, back to your offer. If you put it like that, there's no way I can refuse. Aren't you tired of me?" I asked before I could stop myself.
"Fuck no, Bonnie. If I had it my way..."
His voice faded, but I heard a growl.
"What?" I asked.
He cleared his throat. "Let's just say yesterday evening, it crossed my mind to tie you to my bed just so you don’t leave."
Heat pooled between my thighs at the thought of being tied to his bed. I'd never had such a fantasy, but he was unleashing something in my brain.
"I want to buy her a present. What does your mom like?"
"I already got her something, and it can be from the both of us."
"No. I want buy her something."
"You know what? Why don't you talk to Reese? I know Kimberly is coming for the party, and they're probably going to go shopping before then."
"Okay, then, that's a deal," I said. There was a knock at the door. "Crap, I have to go. We're swamped today. We'll probably all work overtime."
"Bonnie." His voice was like thunder that coursed through my body, making me shudder. "You can't be on your feet the whole day."
"Yes, I can. Like I said, I already talked to Dr. Taylor. Please don’t worry, okay? I have to go. Bye."
I was grinning widely when I hung up. That was when I realized I had an unread message. It was from Mom. I eagerly opened it, but then my heart sank.
Mom: We need to talk.
I sighed, pocketing my phone. That was code for “I need money.”
I’d call her back, but not today. I needed to brace myself for that conversation because it always ended up being a fight. I helped her as much as I could, but I rarely gave her money directly. But my mom had gotten crafty with excuses lately. Once, she made up a doctor's bill, and I stupidly handed her money without asking to see the bill itself. Her neighbor told me two weeks later that she'd gambled it all away.
As I opened the door to the supply room, Cassie looked apologetic. "Sorry to disturb you from your call, but we need you out here."
"Yes, of course."
My phone buzzed again as I followed her into the waiting room. When I checked it, I laughed. I already had a message from Reese.
Reese: I heard we're going shopping together. I'll set something up and give you all the details. Can't wait.
***
"Shopping is a religionin our family," Reese said on Friday as we entered the perimeter of the crafts fair on Lincoln Square. I’d been here in December a couple times during the Christmas market when it looked like something out of a fairy tale with wooden booths and twinkle lights everywhere. It was a similar setup now, but the strings of lights were made of industrial-type bulbs, not snowflakes and bells. It was the beginning of April, so the decoration was spring themed.
Kimberly was here, too, just as Travis predicted. She’d flown in for Lena's birthday. They told me Sam was in town as well. The Maxwells took birthday parties very seriously.
"You should see us at Christmas," Kimberly said. I'd only met her five minutes ago, but I already liked her. She had this aura of happiness and enthusiasm around her, like she was determined to enjoy every moment. She also seemed a stickler for rules, double-checking the parking ticket Reese had put in the windshield of her car, making sure it hadn’t expired, I imagined. They’d picked me up from work, and we rode here together.
It wasn’t immediately obvious that she and Reese were sisters. Reese had dark brown hair pulled into a ponytail and vibrant green eyes. Kimberly’s hair was even darker, cascading down her back. Her brown eyes looked fierce. She was wearing a dress I absolutely loved—the lower part was a mix of lace and silk, and the top was cotton. It was elegant and yet very appropriate for daywear. Reese was wearing a suit, looking very professional.
