AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“See you another time?”
“Yes, most likely.”
Lori patted her hip pocket. “I’ll pass those cards around for you.”
A small smile tugged at the corner of Laurel’s mouth. “I would really appreciate that.”
Chapter 10
The next day hadn’t gone any easier, but at least a plumber had gotten the hardware in her bathroom back into working order. She’d almost called Mick a half dozen times this morning. Now she was staring at herself in her bathroom mirror, excuses rapid firing through her brain like firecrackers on a hot July night.
She could ask what he was wearing. Remind him what time he was meeting Felicity. Then ask him how he was feeling. Was he excited?Good God, Laurel, you don’t ask a man that before a first date. You don’t even ask them that five minutes before they walk down a church aisle.
She should’ve gone to the office today to work on the furniture…or at least stare at it. Putting it together hadn’t really been going well until Mick showed up. And she couldn’t run into him today. Not before his date. As much as she was dying to talk to him, it would just make things awkward between them. Well, more awkward.
The feed store was across the street. He would see her. Or she would see him.
It was inevitable.
“Everything is going to be fine. He’s going to hit it off with Felicity. They’re going to be the cutest couple. A poster couple for your new business here. Just sit it out, Laurel.” She gripped the edges of the bathroom counter and squared off her shoulders, meeting her own gaze in the mirror. “Just stay away. Give them their date.”
A buzz in her back jeans pocket yanked her out of her head. She pulled her phone out and swiped the screen without looking. “Hello?”
“Laurel.” Her ex-husband’s cold-as-ice tone shot a sliver of fear straight down her back.
Dammit.“How did you get this number, Lance?”
“I have friends.” Meaning his cop buddy had passed him all her new information.
“What do you want, Lance?”
“I need the passwords on the last client files you were working on before you left. Tech can’t get them to open.”
“That sounds like your problem, not mine. Leave me alone.”
“If I find out you’re poaching clients, Laurel, you’ll be sorry.”
“I’m already sorry, you bastard. Sorry I ever met you. Sorry I didn’t listen to my parents and call it off the first time you acted like a jackass in public. But I didn’t and now I have to live with the consequences of my blindness.”
“Don’t screw with me, woman. Give me the fucking client file passwords.”
“Why don’t you just inform your clients that the heart and soul of your company is gone and you’re not capable of helping them any longer.” Laurel pulled the phone away from her ear and tapped the red button. “F you and the tramp you put in my place.”
The phone buzzed again. Lance’s number popped up on the caller ID. She sent it to voicemail. But ten seconds later it was buzzing again. And again. And again.
She took a deep breath and pressed down the power button. Her cell phone powered down and she left the bathroom, tossing the phone on her bedspread as she crossed the room. There was cold pizza and beer in her fridge. That and some Netflix sounded like a good plan.
Mick floppeda bag of split corn from his shoulder into a customer’s truck bed. “That’s the last one, Larry. See you later.”
“Thanks, man.” The old farmer waved and pulled his pickup away from the feed store loading dock.
Mick swatted his jeans, getting the grime from the bag off his skin. He’d taken the loading dock duty today from Charlie, hoping it would keep his mind clear for the date tonight.Ha! Fat chance of that.He’d looked at the picture of Felicity several times, trying to imagine what she’d sound like. How she’d really look in person. Would her hair really be as blonde as it looked in the picture? Would she have a soft voice or an annoying nasal one? “Damn, man. Give it a rest, you’re giving her flaws before you even give her a chance,” he said aloud, barely more than a whisper.
Didn’t matter how much he tried to imagine Felicity as a viable option, every time he closed his eyes he saw Laurel’s blue gaze and long dark hair. He smelled her. Felt her smooth skin beneath his fingertips. Tasted her sweetness from that one brief kiss.
Ugh.It wasn’t fair. Laurel had said no. And Felicity was driving four hours to meet him. The woman deserved his attention and a fair shot at representing herself. Even if it was only for one evening. But if she expected a Valentine’s date tomorrow night, she was going to be sorely disappointed. His ‘playing along’ with Laurel only extended to one date he didn’t really want.
He pulled down the loading dock door and locked it before strolling past old man Skinner’s office. He paused in the doorway. “I’m outta here for the day. See you tomorrow afternoon.”
