AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She did not know he was doing that. She couldn’t get mad at Nigel based on what Angel told her that her dead grandmother had said. That was insane.
“Does my grandmother… does she think I should…” She couldn’t say the words out loud. Not in front of Sullivan. But also because she couldn’t believe she was even having any doubts.
This was what she wanted.
To marry Nigel.
She let the sentence die.
But Angel seemed to know what she was asking. “No. She thinks you’re settling.”
Edwina’s throat was so tight and dry she couldn’t even speak. She had nothing to drink. She reached out and grabbed Sullivan’s beer bottle, afraid she was going to choke on the desert dryness that her mouth had suddenly become. She swigged the bottle so hard she actually bumped her front tooth.
Fighting the urge to stick her head between her legs, she breathed through her nose and took down every last drop of beer in three consecutive swallows. She pulled the bottle back and exhaled, raising her hand to wipe a stray bead of beer off of her bottom lip.
Angel had disappeared.
Sullivan was staring at her, eyebrows practically disappearing in his hairline. He looked astonished. “Damn, girl. Thirsty?”
She nodded, breathing deeply through her nostrils. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to steal your beer. I just thought I was going to choke.”
“Not a problem. We can’t have you choking.”
His hand was no longer on her knee.
She missed the touch. She felt like an island, shivering in spite of the fire. “That was weird,” she said.
“Angel’s weird,” Sullivan said, casually. “No one should be that happy to talk about drowning.”
That made her laugh. “She does seem enthusiastic about it.”
“Have you been in her shop? It’s very cool, but don’t go in there for a ‘Live, Laugh, Love sign because you won’t find one.’”
She relaxed a little. The goosebumps had receded. “No, I haven’t. I should check it out before I leave. I get the impression Angel means well.”
“She does. But she doesn't know when to quit.” He grinned. “I think it’s an O’Toole trait.”
Edwina had expected Sullivan to press her about what Angel had said, but he didn’t. She was grateful because she didn’t know how to explain how at least a portion of what Angel had said was absolutely accurate. And that she didn’t know how she felt about the other part. The ring thing.
Because it made no sense. She had just told her father she and Nigel were practically engaged but now the reality of that actually happening made her feel… weird.
Like she’d eaten too much spicy food.
There was churning in her tummy and her mouth instantly went dry when she thought about it.
But she was saved from having to mentally debate it any further because Lilly Ferguson sat down in the chair Angel had abandoned. She had introduced herself earlier and claimed to remember her, though Edwina found that doubtful. Lilly had run with the cool crowd back in middle school. Then again, it had been a small school. The girl who was five eleven at twelve was probably memorable.
“Where is the new puppy?” Lilly asked, holding her hands in front of the fire to warm them. The night had gotten chilly. “Is she still sleeping on Sloane’s lap?”
“Yes,” Sullivan said. “Where’s my dad? I thought he’d be sleeping inyourlap.” He shot her a grin.
Lilly gave him a long look. “Is this how it’s going to be?”
“Uh, hell yes, this is how it’s going to be. You’re dating mydad. That’s pure gold when it comes to messing with you. What if I were dating your mom?”
Lilly’s face drained of color. “Oh, shit, wow. Okay. Fair enough.” She laughed. “Can we set a timeframe on how long you get to do this, though?”
“Nope.”
