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I couldn’t ask for a better friend, even having to put up with the pushy, mountain pixie that she is. I like her bossy, take-no-shit nature. She’s got her own business running the dog and cat grooming salon in town. I doubt anyone could handle her as an employee otherwise. If she had an interest in construction, I’m sure I would’ve been out of the bidding to acquire Welsh Construction. But thankfully her passion lies in poodles and Persian, long-haired cats and kittens and I was lucky enough to take over her family’s business when her grandfather retired.
It’s because she’s my best friend… and the only one I can ask for help especially with this. She’ll be honest with me and tell me what I need to do.
Except she’s fighting me, and I don’t get why. I got all sorts of things about me that need fixing. I’m a crotchety badger that many a woman wouldn’t touch with a ten-foot pole.
Hundred foot.
Peri corrects the buttons on my flannel, putting them in the right holes as she mulls over my request for help. Her nimble fingers are adept at this sort of precision, dealing with anything from fussy to calm animals with sharp objects in her hand.
“Peri, please. I want to show everyone that I’ve made it. I’ve made something of myself.” I grasp her hands before she can pull back, tugging her toward me, hoping to show her how desperate I am.
“Please.” I don’t beg, but this seems an occasion where I might be riding that line.
Her cheeks turn pink and she turns her head sharply, wild, milk chocolate curls hitting my chest as she casts her green eyes to look anywhere but me.
“Why do you care so much? These folks haven’t seen you in years!” Her face comes back, and she’s almost angry.
“Exactly. Peri, it’s been so long that they don’t know the man I’ve become. Will continue to become.”
I just need to make some small adjustments to who I am.
I must have gotten through to her because she yanks her hands free. They fall to her hips, and she scowls at me. “Fine. I’ll do it, but I’m not happy about it.”
I chuckle. “Wouldn’t expect it any other way.”
She shakes her head with a smirk and she pushes on my chest. “You’re such an ass.”
“But I’m your best ass… I mean, friend.”
Overwhelmed that she’s agreed, I surprise her, picking her up in a bear hug. She squeaks, fighting me at first, before relaxing after her initial shock. I’m not known for the move, and I even take myself a little by surprise. She’s soft and warmas she returns my embrace. There’s the fresh clean scent of her shampoo in her curls engulfing me.
A curling warmth rolls through my body and I quickly set her back down when the feeling starts to grow.
I’ve never met a woman like Peri before. And I don’t understand why she’s single. A woman like her should’ve been snagged and cherished all her life.
Too bad we’re only friends, the things I would do for her… with her… to her…
But alas, friendship is where we stand, and it seems we’re both satisfied with where our relationship finds itself. It’s casual and there’s no expectations that can ruin things.
And… no one is making fun of or putting down anyone.
My Peri is as fierce as she is kind. She’s as sweet as peach pie and don’t get me started on heractualpeach pie. The woman can bake. A Welsh woman’s pie wins every Harvest Festival competition. Peri has her own blue ribbon hanging from the rearview mirror of her doorless Jeep.
“When do you want to start?” Peri asks, pulling me from obscure and frankly, ridiculous fantasies.
I shrug, picking up the invite. “I guess there’s no time like the present.”
Sitting on the sofa, we pour over my laptop, pulling up websites, something called Pinterest, and some magazine calledGQ. If it isn’t construction related, I don’t know it.
We’re hip-to-hip and I fill up a lot of space. Peri’s practically in my lap the way her full hips fill out the space. She always complains about her height, being only inches shorter than me, but I don’t see anything wrong with being tall.
The warmth I felt from the hug hasn’t dissipated. It lingers. It even intensifies as her warm skin presses into me, and I squirm with discomfort, parts of me taking notice like I really never have. You’d think it was summer with her in shorts and a tanktop, but it’s still early chilly spring and her hoodie and jeans conceal all but minute parts of her lightly tanned skin.
Maybe it’s her helping me. It does mean a lot to me. There are only a few people I count on and there have been so many I’ve learned I can’t count on.
I inhale and the fresh scent of her hair invades my body, sending me on another series of zips and zings.
But maybe it’s not that… Don’t be ridiculous! She’s yourfriend.
